Anthony Hopkins launches music career with debut classical album at 88

Anthony Hopkins embarked on a new creative chapter, signing with Decca Classics to launch a career as a classical music composer after more than six decades as one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors.

The two-time Oscar winner, 88, announced he will release Life Is a Dream on August 21, featuring original compositions he has written over several decades.

"Music was my first desire, my first wish," Hopkins said in a statement. "I've been composing music all my life. Some of these pieces have lived with me for decades, and I still find myself returning to them."

Debut album features decades of original compositions

According to Decca Classics, Life Is a Dream brings together works inspired by Hopkins' family, his Welsh heritage and experiences throughout his life.

The compositions were recorded by the Philharmonia Orchestra under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

The album's first single, Bracken Road, taken from Hopkins' 1947: Suite for Solo Piano and Orchestra, was released on Friday.

Decca described the project as the actor's "most personal musical project to date", saying it showcases the same emotional storytelling that has defined his acclaimed screen career.

Music inspired by family and Welsh roots

The record label said several pieces reflect Hopkins' upbringing in Wales and the landscapes of his childhood, while others were inspired by loved ones and significant moments from his life.

It described the album as an "intimate musical memoir" shaped by imagination, heritage and personal experiences.

Hopkins follows lifelong passion beyond acting

Hopkins has enjoyed one of Hollywood's most distinguished careers, winning two Academy Awards, four BAFTAs, two Primetime Emmys and the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Despite his acting success, he has long spoken about his love of music, saying it was his original passion before becoming an actor.

With Life Is a Dream, Hopkins is turning that lifelong interest into a professional music career, nearly 65 years after first finding fame on screen.