Noun

(en noun)

(music) dialogue, in an opera etc, that, rather than being sung as an aria, is reproduced with the rhythms of normal speech, often with simple musical accompaniment or harpsichord continuo, serving to expound the plot

Noun

(en noun)

(obsolete) An opening; a recess or chamber.

* Chapman

the cave's inmost overture

(obsolete) disclosure; discovery; revelation

* Shakespeare

It was he / That made the overture of thy treasons to us.

(often in plural) An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=April 23 , author=Angelique Chrisafis , title=François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=Sarkozy gave a defiant speech, going on the offensive and betraying no hint of having been beaten. He styled the result as a "crisis" vote, by a French population which was "suffering". In a clear overture to Le Pen's voters, and the extreme-right motto of loving France, he said: "I call on all French people who put love of their country above partisan considerations, to unite and join me."}}

* 1994 , Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom , Abacus 2010, p. 20:

My mother had no choice; one did not turn down such an overture from the regent.

(Scotland) A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

(music) a musical introduction to a piece of music.