orchestra

noun or-KEH-strah Rare

Origin: Greek orkhestra, 'dancing place'

Usage Note

Orchestra also refers to the stalls (front ground-floor seating) in a theatre — i posti in orchestra (stalls seats) — not just the ensemble of musicians. The plural is orchestre. The conductor is il direttore d'orchestra. In Italy the word is associated with both classical concerts and the traditional dance-band (orchestra da ballo) at summer festivals.

Examples

"L'orchestra ha eseguito la sinfonia con grande maestria."

Natural Translation

The orchestra performed the symphony with great mastery.

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