Yannis Markopoulos
Greek composer Yannis Markopoulos was born in Heraklion on 18 March 1939 into an old Cretan family. He studied at the Athens Conservatoire and began composing whilst still a student. Later he studied in London with Elizabeth Lutyens and wrote several serious works whilst in London.
Back in Athens he influenced the course of music in Greece and also gave moral support to those campaigning for the return of democracy.
Following the success of his theme music for the British TV series Who Pays the Ferryman? he became well known internationally.
Yannis Markopoulos died in Athens on 10 June 2023, aged eighty-four.