Final answer:
The statement that symphonies originated from the opera overture is true. Symphonies evolved from the introductory pieces of operas to become independent works with complex structures. Composers like Haydn and Mozart were pivotal in this evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the symphony had its origins in the overture, which was the introductory music for Italian opera, is true. The symphony as a musical form developed during the Baroque era and was initially closely related to the opera overture. Early symphonies were played at the start of operas to capture the attention of the audience and set the mood for the stage performance. The overture and early symphony were often similar in structure, generally featuring a fast-slow-fast sequence of movements, although the symphony would eventually evolve to include more movements and take on more complex forms.
As the symphony evolved, it moved beyond its roots as part of the opera to become its own independent form of orchestral music. Composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven expanded the symphony's range, developing it into a longer piece of music with multiple movements that explore a wide array of emotions and themes. By the Classical period, the symphony had become a principal genre of orchestral composition.
The development of the symphony was a product of various influences, but the mention of the opera overture is significant in understanding its historigenesis. The transfer of musical ideas between opera and instrumental music was a common practice among composers, who would use the overture to introduce thematic material that might appear in various forms throughout the opera or symphony.