Wordia - The Definition Of Overture
overture
noun, music a) a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work b) a similar piece preceding the performance of a play c)Also called: concert overture a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title d) a short piece in three movements (French overture or Italian overture) common in the 17th and 18th centuries
From Collins
©HarperCollins 2008. Collins English Dictionary definition of overture