Orpheus Remix Awards

The Orpheus Remix Awards are awards for new 4-minute musico-dramatic works for radio.

Orfeo remixed
Detail: Luca della Robbia: Florence,
Campanile of the Cathedral,
Music (Orpheus) (1439)

In 2007 it was 400 years since the premiere of the world's first acclaimed opera, Monteverdi's L'Orfeo. To celebrate, the ABC invited you to compose your own response to both the Orpheus myth and the notion of 'opera', in the form of original 4-minute works for radio.

Over 100 new Orpheus Remix works were produced by creative listeners from around Australia and internationally. Entries closed on 31 January 2008.

Two weeks of on-line audience voting and intense listening and debate among the two ABC program teams led to the selection of three award-winning entries. The three Orpheus Remix Awards given were:

Listeners Choice 'Death is only the beginning' by Orfeo1988

The Night Air Choice 'There aint but one kind of blues' by Venn

New Music Up Late Choice 'Black Orpheus / Little Richard In The Underworld' by Dr. Drew vs Tooly feat. Juan J.

To hear how these and many other intriguing works responding to Monteverdi’s 400-year-old opera and the stories and themes of the Orpheus myth, listen to Orpheus Remix entries.

To hear the award announcements again and to delve further into the worlds contemporary music, remix and audio art, visit 'New Music Up Late' and 'The Night Air' programs.

> Who was Orpheus?

Latest user upload

orpheus216: 'Orfeo der erst puseran'

In eight scenes Orfeo laments the loss of Eurydice, but realizes that without woman his musical genius can flow more freely. The work is based on the ariosa "Tu sei morta" from Monteverdis opera and a graphical work by Dürer called "The death of Orfeo" in which the text "Orfeo der erst pusaran" is written on a banner.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (4 MB)

> More user uploads

> The Seeding Commissions

The L'Orfeo samples by Monteverdi

To help you get started, we provided you with five samples from the original 'l'Orfeo' by Monteverdi, sampled with permission from the ABC Classics recording of Pinchgut Opera's 2004 performances (ABC 4768020). These were available for re-mix as part of the creation of your new work. Each entrant had to use at least one of these samples.

Penelope Mills as 'Eurydice' in
Pinchgut's 2004 performance
of l'Orfeo
Photo courtesy of ABC Classics

Nymphs and Shepherds: "Ah, bitter chance..."
Download mp3 496kb

Opening to Orpheus's "Where oh where..."
Download mp3 856kb

Orpheus to Charon: "Mighty Spirit..."
Download mp3 909kb

Interlude in Orpheus's "He sleeps..."
Download mp3 290kb

Persephone to Pluto: "What thanks..."
Download Sample 5 2mb

Right click and 'Save Link' to a folder on your computer, or simply click to play

The Seeding Commissions

We also commissioned 6 experienced composer/performer/sound artists to make their own 4-minute Orpheus Re-mixes. These 6 works were also available on this website for download as a stimulus to get your creative juices flowing.

Orpheus remix: 'Coffee This Morning'

Gail Priest

Opera is not my favourite form. For the most part it is the elite cultural baggage.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (7 MB)

Orpheus remix: 'Tuning Orfeo'

Damian Barbeler

It’s 400 years since the premiere of Monteverdi’s great work La Favola d’Orfeo – The Tale of Orfeo. In the intervening years our experience of music has changed dramatically.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (7 MB)

Orpheus remix: 'Distorpheus'

Robin Fox & Anthony Pateras

'Distorpheus' is the result of an attempt to capture the power and drama of operatic form in a four-minute pop format using the samples provided by the ABC. Opera represents a significant cultural distortion in the Australian context.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (8 MB)

Orpheus remix: 'Eurydice's Sigh'

Amanda Stewart

The voice is that unique instrument with the ability to synthesise semantic, musical, analytical and emotional structures. If we look below the surface of speech we find beginnings, residues, disjunctions- the flux of complex oral and propositional codes that recombine at the edge of distinction (culture).
> read more Download MP3 Audio (7 MB)

Orpheus remix: 'Monteverdudley'

Dave Noyze & Sarah Last

This piece is loosely based around the Act 3 Sinfonia / Ei Dorme / Sinfonia section of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo. The work is highly experimental, using computer speech synthesis for vocal utterances and accompanying musical instrumentation.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (7 MB)

Orpheus remix: 'Vox Orpheus'

Constantine Koukias

Vox Orpheus contrasts the vocal textures of Monteverdi's Orfeo with Ancient Greek spoken text and electronically treated instruments.
> read more Download MP3 Audio (7 MB)