vorspiel

[ fawr-shpeel, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔr ʃpil, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

an introductory movement to a musical work, especially a prelude or overture.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of vorspiel

< German, equivalent to vor- pre-, fore¹ + Spiel game, play

Words nearby vorspiel

voronezh, voronoff, voroshilov, voroshilovgrad, voroshilovsk, vorspiel, vorster, vortex, vortex drag, vortex ring, vortex shedding

Example sentences from the Web for vorspiel

This concluding passage in the Vorspiel thus brings out with great eloquence the inner significance of "Die Meistersinger."
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
Through themes which are familiar from earlier portions of the work, the Vorspiel rises to a crashing fortissimo.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
In the early portion of this vorspiel only the string instruments are used.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb
Then to the sombre, questioning phrase of the Motive of Fate, the action begins to disclose the significance of this Vorspiel.
The Complete Opera Book|Gustav Kobb

This Vorspiel, like that to "Lohengrin," is short and delicate.
Contemporary American Composers|Rupert Hughes

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