Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera & Minnesota Opera Lead Works & Process’ 2026 Season

Works and Process has announced its 2026 season. The Metropolitan Opera’s “Lincoln in the Bardo” by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek will be previewed with Metropolitan Opera general manager Peter Gelb moderating a discussion with the composer and librettist. Artists from the all-star cast will also perform highlights from the score. All are invited to continue the conversation at a reception {…}

Jun 30, 2026

Washington National Opera Forms National Friends of Washington National Opera

The Washington National Opera has announced the formation of the National Friends of Washington National Opera. The organization was created to build on the groundswell of support WNO has received since the end of its affiliation with the Kennedy Center and chaired by Marc A. Scorca. Each member of the National Friend will receive exclusive written and video updates offering {…}

Jun 12, 2026

Washington National Opera Files Lawsuit Against Kennedy Center

The Washington National Opera (WNO) has filed a lawsuit against the Kennedy Center. According to the New York Times, the company alleges that Kennedy Center failed to return over $17 million in donations made to the organization after they split earlier this year. The court filing, which was made on June 11 in the United States Court of Federal Claims, states, {…}

May 17, 2026

Washington National Opera 2025-26 Review: West Side Story

The fully staged production of “West Side Story” by the Washington National Opera (WNO) at Lyric Baltimore is an example of turning a disaster into a great success. Making a calculated and difficult decision, WNO decided to take the company out of the former Kennedy Center. Unlike City Opera in New York, WNO’s decision was a moral choice, not a {…}

May 15, 2026

Washington National Opera to Present ‘Fellow Travelers’ During 2027-28 Season

(Credit: Tim Trumble Photography) The Washington National Opera is set to present “Fellow Travelers” during the 2027-28 season. The company announced the news in its press release for the 2026-27 season. Greg Spears’ opera will be performed in March 2028. Set in Washington D.C., “Fellow Travelers” is a gay love story set against the backdrop a forgotten chapter of LGBTQ+ {…}

May 15, 2026

Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, Karah Son, Isabel Leonard, Christine Goerke & Ben Bliss Lead Washington National Opera’s 2026-27 Season

The Washington National Opera has announced its 2026-27 season. Opera The season opens with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” in a production by E. Loren Meeker. Karah Son sings the title role with Matthew White, and Michelle Mariposa. Erina Yashima conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 7-20, 2026 John Adams’ “Nixon in China” will be conducted by Robert Spano and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer. Renée {…}

Apr 1, 2026

Marc Scorca Joins Washington National Opera’s Board

Marc A. Scorca, the President Emeritus of ⁦Opera America, has joined the board of⁩ Washington National Opera. Scorca’s appointment comes as Washington National Opera’s kicks off a new chapter in its history away from the Trump-led John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Scorca is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the American opera field and {…}

Mar 23, 2026

Washington National Opera 2025-26 Review: The Crucible

(Credit: Scott Suchman) On March 21, the Washington National Opera opened “The Crucible,” its second production of the spring season at the Lisner Auditorium. The Washington National Opera’s decision to showcase this work spotlights the importance of art’s resilience in times where where institutions like the John. F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are being taken over by regimes {…}

Feb 23, 2026

Plácido Domingo Fires Back at the Washington Post Following Allegations of Mishandling Washington National Opera

Plácido Domingo has made a statement following an article by the Washington Post that said that the legendary singer had brought the Washington National Opera (WNO) to turmoil and a near-bankruptcy. In a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, Domingo said, “For the second time, I am writing to the editor of The Post, but this time I {…}

Feb 17, 2026

Following Kennedy Center Breakup, Washington National Opera Announces New Venues & Dates for ‘West Side Story’

The Washington National Opera has announced venues and dates for its production of Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” The company revealed that it will perform the work at the Lyric Baltimore on May 8, 9, 10 and at the Music Center at Strathmore, May 14 and 15, 2026. In a statement, WNO General Director Timothy O’Leary said, “We are grateful that {…}

Feb 12, 2026

New Details Revealed About Washington National Opera Leaving the Kennedy Center

New details have been revealed regarding the Washington National Opera’s departure from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In a new report from the Washington Post, it has been revealed that Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s Guardian interview, in which she first suggested the possibility of leaving the Kennedy Center, was what set the company in motion to {…}

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