Aurora Orchestra

Since its creation in 2005, Aurora has established a reputation as one of the most innovative and dynamic ensembles in classical music, combining the very highest performance quality with creative presentation and an exceptional breadth of artistic horizons. Its work harnesses the extraordinary versatility of the chamber orchestra to make orchestral music speak in powerful new ways for first-time listeners and lifelong classical devotees alike. 

Aurora has become associated in particular with a new kind of 'Orchestral Theatre’  – collaborative orchestral performance infused with elements of staging, movement, theatrical lighting, design and storytelling. 

As part of this approach, it has presented whole symphonies entirely from memory, as the first orchestra in history to stage concerts in this way. This unique practice has unlocked a range of theatrical, interactive and educational experiences for audiences of all ages, and helped catalyse a new orchestral performance movement across Europe.

As part of its commitment to making music accessible for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, Aurora maintains an award-winning creative learning programme incorporating performances for young people, schools workshops and online resources. In 2022 it launched Aurora Classroom, a major new initiative aimed at supporting music teaching in primary and SEND schools through an online digital resource. Discover Beethoven, the third unit of Aurora Classroom and its first for KS2 students, was launched in April 2024 in partnership with the Southbank Centre.      

Aurora works with an exceptional breadth of artists across many art forms and musical genres, with past collaborators including Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Renaud Capuçon, Ian Bostridge, Wayne McGregor, Edmund de Waal, Charlotte Ritchie and Björk. Its work has garnered several major awards, including three Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards, an ECHO Klassik Award and a Classical:NEXT Innovation Award.