The life of legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis

·

Legendary composer, politician and writer, Mikis Theodorakis was one of the most important and talked about personalities of modern Greece.

Michael (Mikis) Theodorakis was born in Chios on July 29, 1925, to a Cretan father and an Asia Minor mother. Due to the professional capacity of his father (senior civil servant) he spent his childhood moving to various cities in Greece, including Mytilene, Syros, Athens, Ioannina, Argostoli, Patras, Pyrgosand Tripoli.

Before World War II he had discovered his love for music and wrote his first compositions, while in 1942 he published his first poems, under the pseudonym Dinos May. In 1943 he settled permanently in Athens and continued his musical studies, with Philoktitis Economidis as his teacher. At the same time, he worked with the resistance, working through the ranks of EPON and the KKE. He was arrested by the Italians and sent to prison.

Mikis Theodorakis.

During the Civil War (1946-1949) he was exiled first to Ikaria and then to Makronisos. His political persecutions do not stop his creative work. He composed works of classical music and on March 5, 1950, his first play, “Festival of Asi-Gonia” (1946), was presented at the Orpheus theatre in Athens, by the Athens State Orchestra.

In 1953 he married Dr. Myrto Altinoglou (the couple had two children, George and Margarita) and continued his music studies in Paris. He continued to compose and in 1959 was awarded the “Copley” prize for the best European composer of the year.

One night in 1958, while waiting for his wife in the car, he read “Epitaph” by Giannis Ritsos and composed the first eight poems on the spot. In 1960 they will be recorded for the first time with the voice of Grigoris Bithikotsis. 

With the imposition of the dictatorship of April 21, 1967, a new cycle of persecution and exile will begin for the composer, which will end in 1970 with the amnesty that will be granted to him after international outcry. The composer went abroad and gave dozens of concerts against the colonels, which will make him known everywhere as a symbol of the anti-dictatorship struggle.

During the Metapolitism period, his music was widely accepted and heard freely again. It became a point of reference for a new period for Greece and at the same time, remained a symbol for the fighters of many countries against totalitarian regimes.

In his sixty-year career, Mikis Theodorakis had written over 1,000 songs, many symphonic works, cantatas and oratorios, music for dozens of plays and tragedies, operas and music for the cinema.

Theodorakis passed away in 2021 at the age of 96.

Sourced By: San Simera

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Money talks: Tèa Angelos redefines success for women everywhere

Tèa Angelos has remained steadfast in her goal to educate and empower women towards an independent and fruitful future.

The predicament of the girl boss and burnout: A mental health issue nobody talks about

Women in the 21st century have more rights and better opportunities than any other woman at any time on earth.

Greek Australian businesswoman celebrated in South Australia

South Australia is home to many inspiring businesswomen, including Beatriz Masiero Vrettos and Marie Kargiotis.

Dimitrios Trichopoulos: Pioneer of modern epidemiology in Greece

Dimtrios Trchopoulos was a distinguished physician, academic and a global leader in public health and epidemiology.

Coroners in Greece to work alongside AI assistants

The government is aiming to bring the coroners' service into the digital age through comprehensive modernisation.

You May Also Like

Tsitsipas to clash with Rublev for Rotterdam final spot

Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the final four of the ATP Rotterdam tournament on Friday with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Karen Khachanov.

Greek students develop exoskeleton to assist people with disabilities

"The main purpose of our device is to help people with paraplegia to stand, walk on straight or bumpy ground, to ascend / descend stairs and more generally to facilitate their daily activities," the students said.

Meet Marika Kontellis: One of the inspiring IWD panellists for Sydney event

Marika Kontellis is one of the panellists of the Greek Festival of Sydney's and The Greek Herald's International Women's Day event.