Crossword Genius

Harpist etc or various players here (9,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orchestra pit

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'players here' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'harpist etc or various' is the wordplay.
'various' is an anagram indicator.
'harpist'+'etc'+'or'='harpistetcor'
'harpistetcor' with letters rearranged gives 'ORCHESTRA PIT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for orchestra pit that I've seen before include "Place for theatre musicians" , "Area in front of stage" , "wind down in one" , "space for musicians" , "Sunken area for theatre musicians" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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