Anthony Hopkins tops UK classical chart with debut album

Anthony Hopkins, 88, the legendary actor who won two Academy Awards for best actor for his roles in "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Father," has now reached the top of the charts as a classical composer.

His debut classical album, "Life Is a Dream," topped the UK Official Charts classical section for the week ending Sunday (local time), according to the British daily The Independent.

The chart is compiled weekly based on audio streaming figures, downloads and physical album sales in the United Kingdom.

"Life Is a Dream" collects 12 orchestral works Hopkins composed over his lifetime, having taught himself to write music as a teenager. The album also includes "1947: Suite for Piano and Orchestra," which he composed in 1963.

The album was conducted by renowned maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who led the LA Philharmonic and next month takes over as music director of the New York Philharmonic. The Philharmonia Orchestra, pianist Sergio Tiempo and cellist Gregorio Nieto also took part.

In an interview with CNN, Hopkins spoke of his lifelong passion for classical music and stressed that "it is never too late."

A portion of proceeds from the album will go toward relief efforts in Venezuela — the birthplace of conductor Dudamel — which recently suffered a major earthquake.

Laura Monks, president of Decca Records, said it had been "a dream" to work with everyone involved in making the album, including Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dudamel. "We celebrate the recognition of Sir Anthony's talent as a composer and champion of classical music," she added.