I cannot recall the last time I attended a classical music concert which
opened with an overture.  The very first piece I ever heard in a concert
hall, though, was Rossini's overture to La Gazza Ladra--followed by
Brahms First Symphony.  (Guido Catelli conducting.) It seems to me that
this used to be a typical, though not unvaried, way of opening a concert
program, the rationale being, I assume, (1) to warm up the orchestra
and, more importantly, (2) to take care of the latecomer problem with
the conductor offstage.  In Milwaukee I rarely see latecomers, but In
Symphony Hall, Boston during the 1980s, I recall the conductor, the
orchestra and the bulk of the audience frequently waiting at length, in
some irritation, following the first movement of a longer work, while
the dilatory found their seats.

What I am wondering is: how widespread was the practice of opening with
an overture, symphonic poem or other short work; when did this start;
and when did it fade out, as it seems to have?  And do any orchestras
still allow latecomers to bring things to a halt?  Does anyone know or
have observations to share?

Jim Tobin