‘Zorba’ composer Mikis Theodorakis dies at 96

Michalis “Mikis” Theodorakis, a prolific Greek composer and leftist political activist whose musical meditations on his homeland ranged from the sun-drenched bliss of “

” to brooding anthems about the country’s many upheavals and struggles, died Thursday. He was 96.

The cause was cardiopulmonary arrest, according to a statement on his website.