douverture

Douverture is a term used in musicology, especially in French-language sources, to designate the overture—the instrumental introduction to a large-scale work such as an opera, oratorio, or ballet. The douverture sets mood, presents or foreshadows musical ideas, and prepares the listener for the drama or narrative that follows. It may function as a standalone concert piece or as the opening section of a staged work.

Etymology and usage: Douverture derives from the French verb ouvrir, to open. The form "douverture" is an archaic or less common variant of "ouverture." In modern French, the standard spelling is "ouverture," and in English-language writing the term "overture" is generally used regardless of language.

Forms and characteristics: Overtures can be structured in various ways, from sonata-like layouts to more free, rhapsodic presentations. They often introduce themes associated with characters, emotions, or ideas that appear in the main work. Some douvertures are integrated openings to operas, while others exist as independent concert overtures designed for listening outside the theatre.

Historical context: The overture emerged in the Baroque and Classical periods as a customary prelude to opera and other large works. In French sources, the spelling "douverture" appears in some 17th–19th century texts and editions. By the 19th century, "ouverture" became the predominant French form, while the English-speaking world consistently used "overture." The concept also gave rise to the concert overture, a stand-alone orchestral piece inspired by operatic openings.

See also: Overture, Prologue, Concert overture.