Formal Usage:
* The orchestra played a grand overture before the opera began.
* The composer's overture set the tone for the entire musical.
* The film's overture featured a montage of scenes from the upcoming story.
Figurative Usage:
* The diplomat's overture towards peace was met with skepticism by the other side.
* The company's overture to buy the smaller business was rejected.
* The writer's latest novel is an overture to a larger series.
Informal Usage:
* The band played a short overture to get the crowd excited.
* She made a bold overture to him at the party, but he didn't seem interested.
* I'm not sure if her friendliness is just an overture or if she genuinely likes me.