The overture
Example: The overture to the symphony captivated the entire audience.
Definition
"The overture" is a musical composition often serving as an introduction to a larger work such as an opera, ballet, or symphony. It sets the tone and previews themes, captivating listeners before the main performance begins.
Etymology
The word "the overture" comes from the French 'ouverture,' meaning 'opening.' It was adopted into English in the 17th century to describe the opening musical piece in theatrical works. Did you know it literally means 'to open,' perfectly describing its role in music?
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"The overture" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Music - (B2) - set 1", containing 100 commonly used words.
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