Italian overture

noun

: an overture in three movements to an 18th-century Italian opera or oratorio
The Italian overture was to endure in popularity until the end of the eighteenth century and be paramount in the development of the classical symphony.Jean Grundy Fanelli, Opera for Everyone, 2004

called also sinfonia

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Italian overture was in 1779

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Cite this Entry

“Italian overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Italian%20overture. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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