curtain-raiser
/ˈkəːt(ə)nˌreɪzə
/noun
An entertainment or other event happening just before a longer or more important one: Bach’s Sinfonia in B flat was an ideal curtain-raiser to Mozart’s last piano concerto...
- The Sinfonietta is well established in the concert repertoire as an ideal curtain-raiser, and the operas are rightly regarded as modern classics, still challenging but unshakably masterly.
- In gloriously warm weather, the festival provided the perfect curtain-raiser to the main event, Kent CCC's President's XI versus and Old England XI.
- The only other match this weekend on York waters should provide a curtain-raiser for the big event as Local AC tackle the Palace Ings tomorrow.
Origin
Late 19th century: originally used in the theatre to denote a short opening piece performed before a play.
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