The Orpheus Remix Awards are awards for new 4-minute musico-dramatic works for radio to be launched on-air and online on 1 & 2 December on both ABC Radio National’s The Night Air (Sundays, 8.35pm) and ABC Classic FM’s New Music Up Late (Saturdays, 10.30pm).

It is 400 years since the premiere of the world’s first acknowledged opera, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo. To celebrate, the ABC is inviting works that respond to both the Orpheus myth and the notion of ‘opera’, in the form of original 4-minute works for radio. If successful, the compositions will be heard on ABC Radio National and ABC Classic FM, and available for download from ABC Online.

This is a chance to explore the idea of opera within the musically and sonically diverse context of contemporary radio and audio technology in a shockingly succinct 4 minutes. It’s a chance to delve into the Orpheus myth, with all its resonances regarding the power of music, love, and a journey into the underworld.

As a starting point, the ABC is providing five samples from the original L’Orfeo by Monteverdi (sampled with permission from the ABC Classics recording of Pinchgut Opera’s 2004 performances in Sydney*).
These are available for re-mix as part of the creation of the new works. Each entrant must use at least one of these samples.

The ABC has commissioned 6 experienced artists: Damien Barbeler, Constantine Koukias, Dave Noyze & Sarah Last, Pateras & Fox, Gail Priest, and Amanda Stewart to make their own 4-minute Orpheus Remixes as a stimulus. These 6 works are available on the Orpheus Remix website for download.

There are 3 Orpheus Remix Awards on offer:

• The Night Air Choice Award
• The New Music Up Late Choice Award
• The Listeners’ Choice Award (chosen through online voting)

The Award-winning entrants will each receive a paid commission to make a longer musico-dramatic work for radio in consultation with ABC Radio producers.

From 1 December visit www.abc.net.au/orpheus for more information and to upload entries.

Entries for the awards close on 31 January 2008.

The Night Air and New Music Up Late
ABC Radio National and ABC Classic FM

*Samples from performances by Pinchgut Opera orchestra and chorus with soloists Mark Tucker and Sara Macliver, as recorded and released by ABC Classics, ABC 476 8030

• CD1 tr20, 0:00-0:32 – Nymphs and Shepherds: “Ah, bitter chance…” (choir alone)
• CD2 tr04, 0:00-0:55 – opening to Orpheus’s “Where oh where…” (brass chorale)
• CD2 tr05, 0:00-0:59 – Orpheus to Charon: “Mighty Spirit…” (soloist w. organ, lute & viols)
• CD2 tr08, 1:12-1:32 – interlude in Orpheus’s “He sleeps…” (organ solo)
• CD2 tr13, 0:00-1:06 – Persephone to Pluto: “What thanks…” (soloist w. lute & harpsichord)

For more information contact Stephen Adams, Australian Music Unit, ABC Classic FM. Phone 02 8333 2815 or Email adams.stephen@abc.net.au