noun
Refers to an introductory musical piece, especially in classical music or as a metaphor for a preliminary event.
オーケストラがオペラの前奏を演奏し始めた。
The orchestra began playing the opera's prelude.
この事件は戦争の前奏に過ぎなかった。
This incident was merely a prelude to the war.
Compound of 前 (before) and 奏 (play music). The term is a straightforward Sino-Japanese word for a musical introduction.