Soprano Renee Fleming and the Washington National Opera were both a part of the mass exodus of artists, advisors, and productions that left the Kennedy Center after the hostile takeover in February 2025.
While the WNO no longer has a permanent home, they do have a full schedule of productions for 2026-27 that will appear in various venues throughout Washington, D.C.
The season is set to open on November 7 with a performance of “Madama Butterefly” at the DAR Constitution Hall that will feature an immersive performance.
Also at the DAR Constitution Hall and set for a November 14 opening, Renee Fleming will star in the new production “Nixon in China” by John Adams. The show will feature historical archival footage of Richard Nixon’s trip to China in 1972.
DAR Constitution Hall will also be the site for the concert “We the People” – a performance featuring “operatic excerpts” with the theme of liberty.
In December the performances move to the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with a holiday performance of “Odyssey” from Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke. A reimagining of Homer’s Greek epic, the 70 minute production will feature large-scale puppetry, WNO Youth Chorus, and Cafritz Young Artists.
In 2027, the year kicks off with two one act plays – “Wolf/Lambs” by JL Marlor and Clare Bierman. The show runs January 15 and 16 at the WNO Studio.
After taking a short break, the WNO returns on March 12 for the Shakespeare Theatre Company will premiere the ballet oopera “O’Keefe : Kiss the Sky” by Christopher Tin and Kelley Rourke at Harman Hall. The production is inspired by the life of painter Georgia O’Keefe.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company will remain at Harman Hall for a new rendition of “Idomeneo” by Mozart.
King of Crete, Idomeneo is on his way back from the Trojan War and makes a bargain with Neptune after being tossed at sea. The promise of a sacrifice gets turned on its head when the king’s own son meets him at the shore.
The WNO concludes their season with a revival of “La Travitata” by Giuseppe Verdi April 29 at the Music Center at Strathmore.
The Washington National Opera began as the Opera Society of Washington in 1956; marking 70 years of performances.