orchestes

[Gr. orchēstēs =a dancer.] Entom.: A genus of Curculionidae (q.v.), founded by Illiger, Hind femora incra ated, saltatorial, antennæ eleven-jointed. They are leaf-miners, and the larve of Orchestes pratensis affect the leaves of Centaurea scabiosa. or-ches-tra, *or-ches-ter, *or-ches-tre, subst . [Lat. orchestra, from Gr. orchestra; orcheomai =to dance; Fr. orchestre; Ital. orchestra; Sp.orguestra .] 1. In Greek and Roman theaters, the semi-circular area, included by the straight line which bounded the stage in front and the first row of the ascending steps. In the Greek theater this space was always occupied by the chorus. In Roman comedy there was no chorus; and in Roman tragedies, both the chorus and the musicians were placed upon the stage itself, the whole of the orchestra being reserved for the senators. 2. In modern theaters, .: (1) The place where the band, or band and chorus, are placed in mod ern concert-rooms, theatres, . (2) The collection of instruments of varied compa and quality of tone which constitutes a full band. There are no orchestral scores earlier than the latter part of the sixteenth century, so all statements as to concerted instrumental music before that time are wholly conjectural.