Short answers, pulled from the story.
In the ancient Greek theatre, the orchestra was a circular dancing space reserved for the chorus, not a group of musicians. This physical space stood in stark contrast to the modern symphony hall where over one hundred musicians gather to create a unified sound.
Heinrich Stölzel and Friedrich Blühmel invented the piston valve on the 15th of November 1815. This invention revolutionized the brass section by allowing for the chromatic flexibility that defines the modern symphonic sound.
The Vienna Philharmonic did not accept women to permanent membership until 1997. This decision sparked protests from the National Organization for Women and the International Alliance for Women in Music during a US tour.
The Philadelphia Orchestra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2011. The Louisville Orchestra followed this financial crisis by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2010.
The Persimfans orchestra was formed in 1922 in the post-revolutionary Soviet Union. This conductorless ensemble survived for ten years before Stalin's cultural politics disbanded it by taking away its funding.
Karlheinz Stockhausen composed the work Gruppen for three orchestras. This piece allows the sound masses to be spatialized and has been performed by conductors like Simon Rattle, John Carewe, and Daniel Harding.