vorspiel

[ fawr-shpeel, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔr ʃpil, ˈfoʊr- /

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

Origin of vorspiel

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

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