Expected tense performers (4)
I believe the answer is:
duet
'performers' is the definition.
(a pair of performers)
'expected tense' is the wordplay.
'expected' becomes 'due' (similar in meaning).
'tense' becomes 't' (abbreviation used in many dictionaries).
'due'+'t'='DUET'
(Other definitions for duet that I've seen before include "Piece for brace" , "Work for a couple" , "Work for two performers" , "Composition for two performers" , "A song sung by two" .)