overtures
overtures — 名詞
- overturessingular
- overturesesplural
1. a short musical work performed by an orchestra to open an opera, ballet, or conc
序曲
歌劇或大型樂曲的開場音樂
a short musical work performed by an orchestra to open an opera, ballet, or concert, typically introducing themes that will be heard again during the main performance
The orchestra played the overture to Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro before the curtain rose.
管弦樂團在布幕升起前演奏了莫札特《費加洛婚禮》的序曲。
collocation: overture to [musical work]
Antonia recognised the overture to Bizet's Carmen from the very first chord the orchestra played.
Antonia 從管弦樂團奏出的第一個音符就認出了比才《卡門》的序曲。
pattern: recognise the overture to [musical work]
The overture to La Bohème reached its final flourish, and the audience rose to its feet.
《波希米亞人》的序曲奏到最後的華彩段落時，全場觀眾起立喝采。
Many opera fans arrive early just to hear the overture and study the programme notes.
許多歌劇愛好者提早到場，就是為了聽序曲並翻閱節目手冊。
Layla bought a CD of overtures from famous operas to play during her long drives.
Layla 買了一張著名歌劇序曲的 CD，方便長途開車時播放。
- prelude
a shorter introductory piece, not necessarily for orchestra; can also refer to an introductory section of a single movement
- introduction
a more general term for the opening section of any piece, not limited to classical music
文法句型
overture + to [piece name]
用法筆記
This sense is often used in the singular form (overture) when referring to a single piece. The plural (overtures) can mean a collection of such pieces.
常見錯誤
2. an expression of interest or a tentative offer made to someone, especially in or
提議；試探
為開啟關係或談話而表達的意願
an expression of interest or a tentative offer made to someone, especially in order to begin a relationship, discussion, or negotiation
The company made overtures to several European firms about a possible partnership.
該公司向幾家歐洲企業釋出善意，探詢合作的可能性。
pattern: make overtures to [organisation/person]
Ignacio rejected their overtures because he did not trust the management.
Ignacio 拒絕了他們的提議，因為他不信任管理階層。
After years of silence, the two leaders exchanged overtures aimed at ending the conflict.
在多年的沉默之後，兩位領導人相互釋出善意，旨在結束衝突。
James interpreted his colleague's friendly email as an overture to restart their business relationship.
James 將同事的友善郵件解讀為重啟商業關係的試探。
The union made overtures to management, offering to negotiate a new contract before the deadline.
工會向資方釋出善意，提議在期限前協商一份新的合約。
- approach
a direct contact or proposal; less tentative than overtures
- proposal
a more definite and formal suggestion, often with specific terms
- feeler
an informal, very tentative suggestion to test reaction before making a firm proposal
- initiative
an active first step, often in diplomacy or business, with a stronger sense of action
文法句型
make overtures to [someone]
用法筆記
In this sense the plural form overtures is far more common than the singular, especially in the fixed phrase make overtures to someone. The singular overture is possible but less idiomatic. The archaic verb form 'to overture' (meaning to put forward a proposal) is extremely rare in modern English and should be avoided in everyday writing and speech.
常見錯誤
3. an event or natural development that happens first in a sequence and marks the b
開端；前奏
預示更重要事件的行動或跡象
an event or natural development that happens first in a sequence and marks the beginning of something larger or more significant that follows
The small protests in the capital proved to be the overture to a nationwide revolution.
首都的小規模抗議最終證明是一場全國性革命的開端。
pattern: [event] + be the overture to [larger event]
Yael viewed the departmental reshuffle as an overture to the company-wide restructuring three months later.
Yael 將部門調動視為三個月後公司全面改組的前奏。
pattern: view [event] as an overture to [larger event]
The ceasefire agreement was the overture to a longer peace process between the two nations.
停火協議是兩國之間更長遠和平進程的開端。
Adaeze saw the first light rain as the overture to the full monsoon season due in two weeks.
Adaeze 將最初的小雨視為兩週後雨季正式來臨的前奏。
The preliminary talks served as an overture to the full-scale trade negotiations that followed.
初步會談為後續全面展開的貿易談判拉開了序幕。
- prelude
very similar in meaning; prelude emphasises the preparatory aspect more than the signalling aspect
- forerunner
something that comes before and indicates the approach of another event
- beginning
a more general term without the suggestion of importance or scale
- aftermath
the consequences that follow an event, opposite of what precedes it
- conclusion
the end point, opposite of a beginning or introduction
文法句型
serve as an overture to [event]
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 2 (OFFER OR PROPOSAL) in that it focuses on a sequence of events rather than interpersonal communication. Here, the overture is an event that naturally precedes and prepares for a larger one, with no implication that anyone is making a tentative offer. Distinguish from sense 1: the musical sense always refers to an actual piece of music.