Charles Ansbacher, the famous conductor of Boston Landmarks orchestra and cannot fulfill his dream of returning to Vietnam. Charles Ansbacher, the famous conductor of Boston Landmarks orchestra and called by the former US President Bill Clinton “the unofficial ambassador of America’s music”, cannot fulfill his dream of returning to Vietnam. He passed away at the age of 67 on September 12th at his home in Cambridge, MA.

When Charles Ansbacher arrived in Vietnam for the first time five months ago to prepare for VietNamNet’s reconciliation concert on April 22, 2010, he was very excited.

After two performances with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, he returned to the US, but he told VietNamNet that he was willing to return to Vietnam to participate in other concerts to support VietNamNet’s meaningful Reconciliation Day initiative. He also hoped to return because he wanted to discover the beauty of the people and country.

For the past 13 months he knew that he had an incurable brain tumor, but Ansbacher never felt sad. He quietly struggled with the disease and continued his mission of bringing music to audiences all over the world.

During practices with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, people could feel his enthusiasm. He always smiled at the rehearsals, he had long and friendly conversations with people. No one knew that the conductor struggled with a tumor.

On stage at the Hanoi Opera House, when he conducted the orchestra, he transferred his energy and love of music to the Vietnamese artists and audience.

The genius conductor, who devoted his life to music, could not fulfill his dream of returning to Vietnam. VietNamNet commemorates him and offers its sympathy to all those people who know and loved him.

Hoang Vy