ALLORA eNSEMBLE

The Allora Ensemble has been performing together since late 2022, and has left audiences curious as to when and where they can hear them next! Originally formed at the Royal Academy of Music, the idea formed over a coffee between our accordion and double bass player, the latter of which had been touring with Mario Stefano Pedtrodarchi with his Bandoneon ensemble. Fresh from being away, thoughts turned to bringing some of this music to the UK where a group boasting a string quintet and accordion seemed to be quite a rare sight. 

Allora has performed to both Ksenija Sidorova and Martynas Levickis (both renowned accordionists) in public masterclasses, showcasing and workshopping their ever increasing list of repertoire. They’ve also worked closely with Owen Murray, head of accordion at the Royal Academy of Music, along with Jim Sleigh, Jon Thorne, Neil Hyde and Dominic Seldis, all celebrated and distinguished musicians. 

In March 2025, they gave their debut performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London opening a sold out concert for Alexis Ffrench and his group, which included Allora’s accordion player Alise Silina. This new exposure came having presented the ensemble to an audience from Sony Management at a sponsor event hosted at the Royal Academy. They then went on to professionally record and film two pieces at the VOCES8 studio in London in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Music’s Young Artist Recording Scheme, supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, primarily to provide a solid foundation with which to present the group to wider audiences. Allora then applied to the Tunnel Trust and following their progression to the live round finals, won the Trust Prize - multiple concert bookings for 2026 and 2027. 

Furthermore, the group have some future collaborations planned with the 2024-25 London Philharmonic Orchestra Future First composer cohort to commission new works, and are currently creating their own arrangements across various musical genres to expand the repertoire of their unique ensemble.