Enrico Allorto
©Enrico Allorto
Enrico Allorto
©Enrico Allorto
Enrico Allorto
©Giacomo Mondadori
Enrico Allorto
©Enrico Allorto
Enrico Allorto
©Enrico Allorto

Enrico Allorto

Luthier

Biella, Italy

Recommended by Fondazione Cologni Dei Mestieri D'Arte

A multifaceted passion for music

  • Enrico is both a musician and a luthier
  • He is a talented wood carver and inlayer
  • He conceived the Violino del Mare project

The professional path of luthier Enrico Allorto is rich. As a musician, he soon developed a deep interest in sound and its connection with various materials. He plays the guitar, bass tuba, percussions, industrial metallic tools and writes musical arrangements for marching bands. As a luthier, he graduated from Civica Scuola di Liuteria (School of Lutherie) in Milan. He started working on guitars and violins, then lutes, mandolins, violas da gamba, then he became a piano tuner and a restorer of fortepianos and harpsichords, finally he returned to stringed instruments. Thanks to his artistic talent, he also creates decorative elements for instruments such as sculpted headpieces, inlays, as well as carvings for instruments built by other luthiers.

Enrico Allorto is a master artisan: he began his career in 1985 and he started teaching in 1988.

INTERVIEW

It’s a special profession, both physically and mentally demanding. We have to resolve many technical problems and carry out historical investigations: it involves continuous research and experimenting. Most of all, I love that it’s like entering another historical era.

Yes, definitely there is space for innovation, since musicians' needs nowadays are very different from the past. Performers travel a lot by plane, they can change continents and climate in a few hours.

The secrets of the Old Masters have been lost and we are trying to recreate their designs. Even if musicians need new solutions, suitable to new lifestyles, ancient pieces seem to be better, but they have been modified through the centuries.

It was born from my lutherie workshop in the Opera jail: we make stringed instruments from wrecked or confiscated boats in Lampedusa, used by smugglers in the Mediterranean Sea. These instruments are symbols that we should not throw away things – let alone people.

1 EXPERIENCE

Lutherie and decoration course near Turin

Enrico Allorto

Luthier

Biella, Italy

ADDRESS

Strada Cantone Bonino 50, 13900, Biella, Italy

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AVAILABILITY

By appointment only

PHONE

+39 3398487261

LANGUAGES

Italian, English

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