curtain-raiser

plural curtain-raisers · alternative curtain raiser

1. performing artsIn a theater, an initial play, musical performance, etc., which precedes the main performance.

   “Capricious Maneuvers,” the eight-minute romp of a curtain raiser that Mr. Peck made for City Ballet’s 2013 Fall Gala, was fun.

   2014 February 20, Brian Seibert, “Dance: Next Step for Force in Ballet”, in New York Times, retrieved 24 Aug 2014

   1 more example

   [H]e had tried all kinds: comedy, tragedy, prose and verse, the light curtain-raiser, the short sharp drama, the bourgeoisrealistic and the lyrical-romantic.

   1910, Edith Wharton, “The Bolted Door”, in Tales of Men and Ghosts

   Synonyms: warm-up act

2. broadlyidiomaticA prelude or introduction to an activity or thing.

   It is my opinion that your part in the affair is only a curtain-raiser to graver things.

   1901, Harold MacGrath, chapter 7, in The Puppet Crown

   2 more examples

   But the first foray by Russian strategic bombers into the Western hemisphere since the Cold War is simply the curtain raiser for joint naval maneuvers that will bring Russian warships into Venezuelan waters in November.

   2008 September 11, Virginia Lopez, “Russia's Venezuela Foray: Tit for Tat”, in Time, retrieved 24 Aug 2014

   When the Paris Olympics opening ceremony begins on Friday night, it will be the first time the theatrical curtain-raiser for the world’s biggest sporting event has taken place outside a stadium.

   2024 July 25, Angelique Chrisafis, “Paris prepares for Olympics opening ceremony spectacle along River Seine”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   Synonyms: preamble, prologue