Sir Anthony Hopkins is a widely celebrated Welsh actor best known for his portrayal of "Hannibal Lecter" in the movie "Silence of the Lambs." However, the actor also has a deep love for classical music, being a pianist and composer himself. As can be seen in this Instagram post where he plays piano for hotel guests.
In 2009, Hopkins told Gramophone magazine that music was his "first desire, first wish," and that he had hoped to be involved with music which is why he started writing compositions even at a young age.
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Actor Anthony Hopkins arrives at the world premiere of New Line Cinema's "The Rite," in Hollywood, California January 26, 2011.
Actor Anthony Hopkins arrives at the world premiere of New Line Cinema's "The Rite," in Hollywood, California January 26, 2011.
The Story Behind Sir Anthony Hopkins' 'And the Waltz Goes On'
During his 20s in 1964, Hopkins wrote a piece called "And the Waltz Goes On," a manifestation of the actor's first "wish," which sadly remained unfulfilled for years. That is, until one moment during an André Rieu concert when the actor's wife took note of a remark that he made.
"I'd love to have that waltz played in Vienna," Hopkins said to his wife.
Unknowingly to the Welsh actor, his wife had made contact with Rieu and had shown the Dutch conductor Hopkins' five-decade-old waltz composition. To Hopkins' surprise and delight, he was notified by Rieu in a phone call that they had just finished rehearsing the actor's composition and thus wanted to perform it.
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The Heartfelt Moment Sir Anthony Hopkins' Dream Came True
Hopkins' waltz premiered in the Viennese halls of Maastricht in the Netherlands months after the phone call, fulfilling his wish. As seen in a YouTube video posted on the official André Rieu channel, the piece itself was affectionately received by the audience, erupting in applause after it had ended.
Hopkins can also be seen visibly moved by the performance, removing his hat and blowing kisses as he thanked the orchestra before waving back to a roaring audience. Relatedly, the comments section of the video was filled with huge praises for Hopkins' compositional ability and his emotional response during the concert.
"I love it how he is just there. Just somewhere in the audience. Not in the first row nothing fancy. He is just there," one user noted.
In a statement to the Independent, Rieu shared that Hopkins came to him afterward, exclaiming, "I love it, I love it, and I have tears in my eyes!"
