Rob and Margot online

This shows the layout of the orchestra pit under the stage at the Festival Opera House.

The conductor sits on top of the pedastal and is the only one in the orchestra who can see the action on the stage.

The orchestra pit is underneath the stage and invisible to the audience. The sound from the orchestra rises to the front of the pit, is redirected towards the back of the stage, of the back of the stage and out to the audience. The singers on stage get first crack at the sound, so issues of balance and timing don't suffer as in other, more ...