Sinfonia is a musical term frequently used in classical music, particularly from the Baroque period. Essentially, it is an instrumental piece that is usually played at the beginning of an operatic or choral work. There are many synonyms that can be used for the word Sinfonia, including overture, prelude or introduction. All of these words point towards an instrumental introduction to a larger musical composition, with the idea of setting the tone or mood for the work to follow. Regardless of which word is used, the purpose of a Sinfonia is the same, a smooth and immersive transition into a larger piece of music.