The music was played by the orchestra seated in front of the stage.
A similar expression is face up to . It means to accept something that is difficult or painful.
For example, a man must face up to the fact that he lied about a business deal and will lose his job.
Or, a child must learn to face up to her responsibilities and complete her schoolwork.
Meeting someone face-to-face can be exciting, especially if the other person is famous.
It is an expression one might use after visiting the White House and meting the president face-to-face.
Or a teacher might ask for a face-to-face meeting with the parents of a student in trouble. It means to talk to some one in person, not by telephone.
