Mikis Theodorakis was born on the Greek island of Chios in 1925, the same year that Manos Hatzidakis, another renowned Greek composer, was born in Xanthi. During World War II, Theodorakis fought bravely and was captured at the city of Tripoli, where he was subjected to brutal torture. After being freed, he joined the Greek partisan army, EAM, and participated in the country's civil war, which lasted from 1945 to 1949.
Theodorakis was exiled to the island of Ikaria in 1947 and later transferred to Makronisos in 1948. He married Myrto Altinoglou in 1953 and moved to Paris the following year to pursue his music studies. There, he continued to compose music, drawing inspiration from the works of great Greek poets.
In the 1960s, Theodorakis's music gained international recognition, particularly with his compositions for films such as Zorba the Greek, Phaedra, and Electra. His collaboration with renowned directors like Jules Dassin and Michael Cacoyannis further solidified his reputation as a master composer.
Despite facing adversity, including exile and censorship, Theodorakis remained committed to his artistic vision and continued to express his hope for democracy in Greece. He was a vocal advocate for democratic reforms and was a thorn in the side of the country's military dictatorship, which ruled from 1967 to 1974.
Theodorakis's music was not limited to film scores; he also composed symphonies, operas, and choral works. His most famous operas include Ilektra, which premiered in Luxembourg in 1995, and Lysistrata, which was performed during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Throughout his life, Theodorakis was recognized for his contributions to Greek music and culture. He received numerous awards and accolades, including the Golden Lion Award for his music for Zorba the Greek. Despite controversies surrounding his actions in the 1980s and 1990s, Mikis Theodorakis remains one of the most celebrated and influential composers in Greek history, alongside Manos Hatzidakis.
