Anthony Hopkins wrote the magic waltz 50 years ago and finally heard it for the first time performed by an orchestra

Anthony Hopkins is best known for playing Hannibal Lecter in the cult film "The Silence of the Lambs" and as the director of the film "Whirlwind". But not all Hopkins fans know that he writes music. For a long time, he practically did not share his creations with anyone. But the moment when he felt like a great composer, nevertheless came.

The waltz, written by Anthony Hopkins half a century ago, was performed by the recognized conductor Andre Rieu. How good the piece is can be assessed by the reaction of the audience in the hall: when the melody started playing, most could hardly hold back tears. And according to the reaction of Anthony Hopkins himself, it is safe to say that he has been waiting for this moment for 50 years.

According to the conductor, he was unspeakably surprised when he received a call from New York a few months earlier and was told that one of his loyal fans had composed a waltz and really wanted Rieu to perform it. Accustomed to such requests, the conductor always believed that the second Johann Strauss had not yet been born.

But when he heard the name of the petitioner, he "almost fainted": "Now he is a world-famous actor and Hollywood star, but 50 years ago he was a musician who composed a waltz. The melody was written down on paper, and no one has ever heard it. A few years ago, he saw me on American television and wanted me and my orchestra to perform his waltz."

Rieu talked to Anthony Hopkins on the phone, got the sheet music and recorded the melody. "I can say that the waltz turned out fabulous. Exciting. Romantic. Exciting. Cinematic. And I'm very proud to play it for the first time."