Pit orchestra
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A pit orchestra is a type of orchestra that accompanies performers in musicals, operas, and other shows involving music. Pit refers to the orchestra pit, the usually lowered area in front of a stage. For operas and ballets the pit orchestra is usually the same size as a symphony orchestra (although this size itself depends on which period the piece was written in), while in musical theatre because of financial, space, and volume concerns the pit orchestra is considerably smaller (at most 20-30 musicians, including not more than ten string players). Inside the pit, the conductor stands towards the stage and with his back towards the audience to coordinate the music with the actions of the singers, dancers and actors, while the orchestra sits facing the conductor and audience.
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