Tonal colour in the Romantic era

Orchestras became increasingly massive, up to the huge ensemble required for Mahler’s famous Eighth Symphony (nicknamed the Symphony of a Thousand). The point of larger size was to find more variation in expression and dynamics. Also, new instruments were developed for variety of tonal colour. The most common today of these new instruments are the saxophone and the Wagner tuba. The new, purpose-built opera house built by Wagner at Bayreuth revolutionised opera performances by having a darkened auditorium and an orchestra hidden from the sight of the audience.