Overture
An orchestral introduction played before an opera, oratorio, or suite begins
Category
form
Pronunciation
OH-ver-chur
Origin
French
Length
83 words · 1 min read
About Overture
An overture sets the mood and introduces key themes that will appear later in the work. In opera, it functions as a musical preview — audiences hear melodies they will encounter again in dramatic context.
More form terms
Movement
View all formterms →A self-contained section within a larger multi-part composition such as a symphony or concerto
RecitativoA vocal style imitating natural speech rhythms.
Theme and VariationsA form in which a theme is stated and then altered through a series of variations
Strophic FormA song structure where the same music repeats for each verse with different lyrics each time
CodaA concluding passage that brings a piece or movement to an end.
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →