overture

Universal Words noun 1 a piece of music written as an introduction to an opera or a ballet: Prokofiev's overture to 'Romeo and Juliet' 2 [usuallypl.] ~ (to sb) a suggestion or an action by which sb tries to make friends, start a business relationship, have discussions, etc. with sb else: He began making overtures to a number of merchant banks. * Maggie was never one to reject a friendly overture.