a group of performers on various musical instruments, including especially stringed instruments of the viol class, clarinets and flutes, cornets and trombones, drums, and cymbals, for playing music, as symphonies, operas, popular music, or other compositions.
(in a modern theater)
the space reserved for the musicians, usually the front part of the main floor (orchestra pit ).
the entire main-floor space for spectators.
the parquet.
(in the ancient Greek theater) the circular space in front of the stage, allotted to the chorus.
(in the Roman theater) a similar space reserved for persons of distinction.
Origin of orchestra
1590–1600; <Latin orchēstra<Greek orchḗstra the space on which the chorus danced, derivative of orcheîsthai to dance
New York Philharmonic horn player Leelanee Sterrett says that every orchestra member brings “a different interpretation to their parts each time.”
Why Beethoven’s 5th Symphony matters in 2020|Charlie Harding|September 25, 2020|Vox
Though the pandemic has put all orchestras, the Philharmonic included, in a perilous position, it has also highlighted how such institutions might rethink the conventions of classical music.
Why Beethoven’s 5th Symphony matters in 2020|Charlie Harding|September 25, 2020|Vox
It doesn’t donate to the city’s vaunted orchestra, and isn’t a member of the region’s chamber of commerce.
The Big Corporate Rescue and the America That’s Too Small to Save|by Lydia DePillis, Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel|September 12, 2020|ProPublica
The first scene in the movie takes place in an opera house, where an orchestra is tuning up, and chaos quickly sets in.
The ancient palindrome that explains Christopher Nolan’s Tenet|Alissa Wilkinson|September 4, 2020|Vox
People scream, the orchestra stops playing, and the stage manager whisks the diva into the wings.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since the arrival of Chorus Master Donald Palumbo, the Met chorus now commands that same level of excellence as the orchestra.
Inside the Metropolitan Opera’s Insane Year|Shawn E. Milnes|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She could no longer go to the orchestra; she was confined to a wheelchair.
The Nurse Coaching People Through Death by Starvation|Nick Tabor|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Orchestra seats cost $100; mezzanine is $75; and balcony, $50.
Here’s the Program for Women in the World Texas!||October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The organ itself is part of the show, as it can rise or drop independent of the orchestra pit.
How to Save Silent Movies: Inside New Jersey’s Cinema Paradiso|Rich Goldstein|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The orchestra played his theme and an army announcer introduced him as the Number One ventriloquist in the world.
The Second Voice|Mann Rubin
When the fatal date arrived, the Bey summoned the leader of the orchestra before him.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets|Francis Miltoun
Of his compositions there remain four suites for orchestra, some small pieces for cembalo and some chorale arrangements.
Bach|Charles Francis Abdy Williams
The orchestra began to fill up and there was much chattering and noise.
Old Fogy|James Huneker
The orchestra (gamelan) consists of wind, string and percussion instruments, the latter being in preponderancy to the other two.
a large group of musicians, esp one whose members play a variety of different instrumentsSee also symphony orchestra, string orchestra, chamber orchestra
a group of musicians, each playing the same type of instrumenta balalaika orchestra
Also called: orchestra pitthe space reserved for musicians in a theatre, immediately in front of or under the stage
mainlyUS and Canadianthe stalls in a theatre
(in the ancient Greek theatre) the semicircular space in front of the stage
A group of musicians who play together on a variety of instruments, which usually come from all four instrument families — brass, percussion, strings, and woodwinds. A typical symphony orchestra is made up of more than ninety musicians. Most orchestras, unlike chamber music groups, have more than one musician playing each musical part.