Anthony Hopkins Achieves Lifelong Dream with Decca Deal
Anthony Hopkins, the 88-year-old Oscar-winning actor, has released his debut single, Bracken Road, and signed a recording contract with Decca Classics. His first album, Life Is a Dream, is set for release on 21 August. The album comprises pieces he has composed over six decades, reflecting his lifelong passion for music.
Inspiration from Welsh Childhood
The debut single, Bracken Road, draws on Hopkins’ childhood memories of Margam in south Wales. He recalls the streets, meadows, farmland, and mountains that surrounded his family home in the 1940s. Another track, My Fatherland, pays tribute to Wales, written to “honour my humble beginnings”. Hopkins said, “I am the son of my father, the baker.”
A Lifelong Musical Journey
Hopkins began playing the piano at age four and has composed music since childhood. He stated, “Music was my first desire, my first wish. 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. My whole life is a dream. Signing with Decca is the honour of a lifetime.”
Collaboration with Renowned Musicians
The album features performances by Grammy-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Soloists include cellist Gregorio Nieto and classical pianist Sergio Tiempo. Hopkins expressed gratitude: “It has been a true privilege to collaborate with the distinguished Philharmonia Orchestra and the virtuoso soloists. My deepest gratitude and respect go to maestro Gustavo Dudamel, whose artistry is an integral part of this musical journey.”
Track Composed in 1963
Bracken Road was originally composed by Hopkins in 1963 while he was a young actor at the Liverpool Playhouse. Other compositions on the album draw on memories of Port Talbot, childhood visits to his grandfather, the cinema that sparked his imagination, and people closest to him.
Decca President’s Praise
Laura Monks, president of Decca, said: “It is such a privilege to have the great Sir Anthony Hopkins join Decca Classics. His depth of talent and classical music knowledge, honed over a lifetime, is a joy to celebrate with this new album.”
