On January 9 the Washington National Opera announced that they would no longer be a part of the Kennedy Center.
Less than two weeks later, the WNO has not only found a new home; but will be presenting two productions this year. And following his announcement that he would not perform at the Kennedy Center, Stephen Scwartz will rejoin the WNO for their annual gala.
The Washington National Opera is celebrating 70 years Opera in their new home at George Washington University.
The WNO’s 70th season will open in March with a performance of “Treemonisha” by Scott Joplin, who is best known for his ragtime music. The opera will run from March 7 to 15.
An unfinished opera by Joplin about a educated freed woman living on a former plantation; composer Damien Sneed and playwright Kyle Bass have finished the opera and it make its world premiere with the WNO.
The Robert Ward adaptation of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller will follow March 21 to 29.
Both productions will be performed at the Lisner Auditorium on the George Washington University campus. The Lisner Auditorium is a little over half the size of the Kennedy Center Opera House.
While a location is yet to be named, the annual gala with a performance of “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein will be hosted by Stephen Schwartz and Bernstein’s daughter Jamie.
Prior to moving to GWU, the National Opera spent nearly 50 years performing at the Opera House at the Kennedy Center.
In their departure notice the WNO cited the drop in ticket sales (reports are overall ticket sales at the Kennedy Center has dropped some 40% since the hostile takeover in February) and a loss in supporter donations.
Following the announcement, the WNO received over 500 donations in a 72 hour period.
WNO General Director Timothy O’Leary spoke on the WNO in a statement saying, “the artists, trustees, and staff of WNO are beyond grateful for the inspiring support we have received. We will soon announce our 2026-2027 season at an array of great venues. For this moment, returning to Lisner Auditorium is both a homecoming and renewal. Thanks to our community of support, WNO will continue to be a source of beauty, connection, and free expression for another 70 years and beyond.”
WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello added, “this spring, we will present three American works that explore themes at the heart of what makes our country great. ‘Treemonisha’ celebrates the triumph of education over ignorance, while ‘The Crucible’ is a cautionary tale about a righteous mob that murders innocent women and tears families’ apart. We close with ‘West Side Story’ a modern spin on the Shakespeare play that Leonard Bernstein called ‘an out and out plea for racial tolerance.’ I am thrilled that Washington National Opera audiences in our nation’s capital will have the opportunity to experience these profound works of art. I hope our productions can serve as a springboard for dialogue and perhaps even a source of healing.”
The WNO leaving the Kennedy Center was the latest in a growing list of artists and organizations departing the historic venue after a hostile takeover last February by the White House. “Hamilton” cancelled a national tour performance, The American College Theatre Festival has cut ties, and several music artists have backed out of performances including the Christmas and New Year’s Eve Jazz events.