Global star Sir Anthony Hopkins illuminated Bakr Al-Shaddi Theater in “Boulevard City” with an exceptional musical performance titled “Life is a Dream,” as part of Riyadh Season’s events. His heartfelt speech during the event carried profound humanitarian and artistic messages, reflecting his philosophy on life and art.
Introduced by the legendary actor Morgan Freeman, Hopkins began his speech with the Arabic phrase “As-salamu alaykum” and quoted American writer Edgar Allan Poe, saying: “I have always believed that all we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”
Hopkins expressed his deep gratitude to HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), stating: “First, I would like to express my profound gratitude to HE Turki Alalshikh for inviting me once again to this beautiful city. I am deeply humbled and immensely grateful to premiere my piece, ‘Life is a Dream,’ during Riyadh Season.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hopkins shared: “Throughout my life, I have always wondered how a boy from South Wales, the son of a simple baker, could arrive at such a remarkable moment. My life, to me, is a profound mystery. It’s impossible to understand or take credit for the blessings I’ve been given. That’s why I believe life is a dream, and this piece, ‘Life is a Dream,’ was inspired by my dreamy childhood in South Wales, my wonderfully supportive mother, and my father, who was larger than life and worked tirelessly throughout his life.”
He cited American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said: “Music and art are paths to God, the primary means to connect all human souls. Emerson understood that touching one soul means touching all souls, and I too believe that music is a transformative power.”
Hopkins also expressed his emotions about performing in Saudi Arabia, saying: “I always dreamed of being a composer, but I never knew how. Yet performing this concert in Saudi Arabia the cradle of Islam, where Prophet Muhammad received his messages, and home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina is an unimaginable honor.”
Addressing the challenges the world faces, he emphasized the importance of unity, stating: “I cannot imagine a better place than here to come together, bridge our differences, and envision a world of peace, balance, and love. At 87 years old, I understand deeply that death is inevitable. But the theme of this concert is that life is a long farewell to everything we love—a prolonged goodbye, but one filled with forgiveness and wonder.”
He continued: “At a time when the world faces unprecedented disasters, including the recent devastating wildfires in Southern California, we gather here in the hope that music can heal and bring us together.”
Hopkins concluded his speech by thanking the team behind the concert: “Tonight’s concert wouldn’t have been possible without Dr. Rakan Al-Harthi, Managing Director of Sela. Thank you. I would also like to thank my music producer, Stephen Barton, for his brilliant coordination and arrangements. Special thanks to conductor Matthew Freeman and the musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for their incredible performance.” Finally, he ended with another Arabic phrase, “Shukran.”
Through this remarkable event, Sir Anthony Hopkins affirmed that music and art are bridges that connect people, uniting them with values of tolerance and love, leaving an enduring humanitarian and artistic imprint on Riyadh Season’s memory.
