An overture is the opening piece of music in an opera or play, or a first move or offer made to begin a relationship or agreement.
From French *ouverture* meaning “opening,” from *ouvrir* “to open,” ultimately from Latin *aperire*. It began in music and then broadened to any opening move.
An overture is like a trailer for the music—it hints at themes you’ll hear later in the show. Socially, making overtures to someone is the emotional version of that: a gentle first step that says, “Can we begin something here?”
In social and romantic contexts, ‘overtures’ have often been framed differently by gender—men’s advances normalized or romanticized, while women’s were stigmatized. In music, women composers’ overtures were underperformed and underrecognized.
Use the term symmetrically for all genders, and be clear whether you mean a musical piece or a social/negotiation approach.
["proposal","approach","opening offer","musical prelude"]
When discussing musical overtures, include women and gender-diverse composers whose works were historically excluded from major venues.
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