The Idea

Orpheus Rescuing Eurydice From The Underworld
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770)

ORPHAEA (Or-Fee-eh) is an idea. It is an ideal. It is both a destination and a way of travel. Since the beginning of time, the human race has strived to overcome; strived to achieve ideals; strived to enhance the human condition; and strived to achieve our potential as human beings. ORPHAEA is a metaphorical destination of this potential – a place where innocence is restored, where suffering, disease and death do not exist and where trust, safety and love abound.

The name ORPHAEA is derived from Orpheus, the ancient musical virtuoso of the golden lyre who tragically lost his beloved Eurydice when she descended to the underworld on their wedding day. He lived the rest of his life searching for her, never to find the happiness of his innocence again. ORPHAEA, or ‘the land of Orpheus”, can be best thought of then as a place where he is reunited with Eurydice and his innocence and happiness are restored forever.

The 37 recordings of ORPHAEA are the musical manifestation of this restoration and represent more broadly the triumph of the human spirit against suffering, disease and death. ORPHAEA is dedicated in particular to the fight against diseases that are life threatening to children where a cure does not yet exist. The little warriors who fight these battles are the heroes of the world and ORPHAEA shall forever be an ideal inspired by them.

The music will soon be part of a theatrical production and major motion picture. Stay tuned and spread the word – the journey has just begun!

The Project

Plato observed that it is music that “gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” In the 2,370 years since he shared this view with his student Aristotle, nothing has changed. Beethoven audaciously declared that “…music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy”…and Victor Hugo may have said it best when he stated “music expresses that which can not be said on which it is impossible to be silent.”

The ORPHAEA project was born to bring together great musical artists to create a great musical experience for a worthwhile human endeavor. It is the manifestation of more than a decade of creative development with the most talented artists in the world. ORPHAEA will soon be a theater production incorporating this music into the most innovative theater production ever to reach the stage. Listen to the music. Spread the word. And journey together to the land of ORPHAEA!

The Pledge

Tori Lee

ORPHAEA was inspired by children whose lives are threatened by diseases for which we do not yet have a cure. It is about the resolve by which these little warriors keep hope alive despite the loss of their childhood innocence. It is about their courage in fighting endless painful battles in the face of setback after setback. It is about the joy that they bring to every life they touch and their messsage that every day is truly a blessing to be cherished. ORPHAEA is dedicated to one of these beautiful warriors, Tori Lee, who has battled childhood Leukemia since 2008. Please take a moment and click on her picture to go to the Team Tori Facebook page and follow her as she fights this battle that no child should ever have to fight. A portion of all ORPHAEA revenue proceeds is donated to The Frances Foundation whose leadership in supporting Tori and other child warriors is nothing short of amazing. Please click on the banner below and provide all the support you can for this incredible organizaiton in the greatest of all causes.

The Artists

If ORPHAEA is the world where Orpheus is reunited with Eurydice…where there is no disease or suffering…where sight and sound take a quantum leap…and where love is a rising tide, then the sounds of ORPHAEA must be its very essence. Led by Troy Dexter, musical director extraordinaire, the music of ORPHAEA is a product of the finest musical artists in the world. When you walk in the land of ORPHAEA, you walk with giants of musical talent.

Troy Dexter
Guitars and Piano
Visit Site
Todd Herzog
Vocals
Visit Site
Billy Trudel
Vocals
Visit Site
Tollak Ollestad
Vocals
Visit Site
Chris Ippolito
Vocals
Visit Site
Hollye Dexter
Vocals
Visit Site
Peggy Baldwin
Cello
Visit Site
Stan Martin
Trumpet
Visit Site
Gary Herbig
Woodwinds
Visit Site
Jeff Stern
Percussion
Chazz Frichtel
Bass Guitar
David Marotta
Bass Guitar
Kathleen Robertson
First Violin
Miriam Mayer
Violin
Darrin McCann
Violin
Thomas Tally
Viola
Cameron Patrick
Viola
Stephanie O’Keefe
French Horn
Mike Nelson
Saxophone
Gary Tole
Trombone
Eric Jorgensen
Trombone

The Music

The 37 recordings of ORPHAEA are an ethereal tribute to the world in which we live. It is the best that life has offered captured in a collection of recordings that paint the picture of a magical world of hope, dreams and faith…where suffering, disease and death are conquered and Orpheus is finally reunited with his beloved Eurydice. The productions were a collaborative and iterative effort incorporating the musical expertise and creative genius of each and every musical artist who contributed to the project.

The Musical

ORPHAEA is a musical play that tells the story of Michael Granderman, a New York City history professor, who experiences the innocence of life, the joy of love and then suffers through the pain of deep loss. We journey with Michael as he confronts this pain through a process of revelation, redemption and renewal. ORPHAEA is the destination where Michael arrives with a profound triumph of the human spirit. The story takes place during the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and the renewal of New York city during its most difficult hour. ORPHAEA will be a transformative experience for everyone at any age who makes the journey to this Land Of Great Musical Wisdom!

The Art

The art of ORPHAEA is a metaphor for the music itself – right brain beauty meets left brain order. ORPHAEA I – “Princesse Rose” overlays a compass rose over a blooming flower that emerges from the Rosette Nebula (NGC2237; Caldwell 49). ORPHAEA II – “Genuine Eyes” overlays the geometry of Phi, or the golden mean, over the eyes of La Gioconda emerging from the Helix or Eye nebula (NGC7293; Caldwell 63). ORPAHEA III – “Get Back To Orphaea” overlays the Fleur de Vie over a dove and butterfly that emerge from the Butterfly Nebula (NGC6302; Caldwell 69). And finally, ORPHAEA IV – “The Musical” overlays a Fibonacci spiral over a spiral staircase with the three ORPHAEA guidepost nebulae (Rosette, Helix and Butterfly) transcending the Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101). The art was created under the direction of “Deep Space Robots” led by creative director Rob Momary.

FAQ

1) When will ORPHAEA III and IV be available? — Both albums have been completed and are now available through online retailers.

2) What’s next? — ORPHAEA will soon be both an interactive theatrical production and major motion picture. Stay tuned for more information!

3) Where can I purchase the music of ORPHAEA? — the music is distributed widely; Amazon.com and iTunes are the two largest retailers

4) How can I support ORPHAEA? — Please spread the word and encourage everyone to purchase the music. Portions of the proceeds from all sales will go to the Frances Foundation in support of children with life threatening illnesses. Additionally, the funds from the music sales will be invested to make the ORPHAEA theater and film productions two of the most exciting experiences in the history of the performing arts!