The death is announced of Greek composer
Mikis Theodorakis
Are you married?
Am I married?
I have a house, a wife, children–the full catastrophe!
Anthony Quinn’s Zorba answering Alan Bates oh-so English teacher’s question in the film Zorba the Greek–before they dance the epic dance.
The music, of course, composed by Mikis Theodorakis, who died today, age 96.
On a magical first visit to Corfu seven years ago, we happened upon a Sunday morning rehearsal of a local young people’s dance group before they set off to NW Spain to compete in an international dance festival.
This, thanks to Meredith’s miraculously steady hand, is what we saw.
The rehearsal took place at the Cultural Association of Sinies on the northeast corner of Corfu. The inspiring teacher is Viahos Ioannis.
Robin Ellis 
That was pure delight!!! It must have been such a delicious surprise to be there and witness this. Wanted to get up and dance with them myself!
Keeping the magic alive. Wonderful
What an amazing memory to have of that trip.
Robin & Meredith thanks for your blog tribute (great dance video) to Mikis Theodorakis. Yours was the first notice I saw on his death. He was a great composer & exceptional human being. He left such wonderful music and his stand for the justice for his fellow Greeks will be an inspiration to future generations. Our world is poorer with his passing.
That was wonderful!
well that solves that mystery because I stumbled across that video a year or two ago and thought, isn’t that Robin Ellis at the end? Or his doppleganger? Good camera work Meredith! Now I’m going to watch it again.
Oh, that was fun!
Thanks for filming it, Meredith, and you for posting it, Robin.
Oh, what fun!
Thank you for recording this, Meredith, and thank you for posting it, Robin.
(I hope this appears only once in your feed. I’ve had to sign in multiple times)
I love Theodorakis’ music, and can I put in a note for his music in the film ‘Z’, a film by Costa Gravas from the 1960s, with Yves Montand, which I thought was excellent. I haven’t seen it for years and wonder how it has aged ….. but the music will still be stirring. I spent a bit of time in Greece in the early 1970s and was always swept away by the music in the bouzouki restaurants/bars…
Thank you for your post, Robin!
You are right about Z, Ruth. I’d love to see it again.
Links within this blog took me back to your post about Gillian Lynne’s passing and I watched The Comedy of Errors video footage once again – still absolutely marvelous! Perhaps you could revive the production in your chapel and reprise your Dr. Pinch role for an 80th birthday celebration. Never say never!
Nice idea!
Pinch would be truly decrepit!
Not sure I’d manage the “dance” and the gunshot might bring the building down!
Thank you for sharing! Love watching Greek dancing! And I have always wanted to visit Corfu. There were many Greeks on Corfu that helped hide my fellow Jews during World War Two.
Absolutely enchanting piece of film and the music never fails to make one feel
happy. RIP Mikis Theodorakis
Hi Madeleine!
Half my life ago I used to go regularly to a Greek restaurant in Reading, and on Saturday nights we ended up dancing (or trying to!) this! Knees wouldn’t allow it any more!
Brilliant memories recalled! Thank you!
I enjoyed the dancing so much. Thank you to both of you and to Meredith’s steady hand. I love the music from Zorba and it is one of my favorite films. I saw it in the early 60’s and several times since. It is good to know Mr. Theodorakis was able to live a long and perhaps happy life.
I agree about Meredith’s remarkably steady hand!