The Washington National Opera has announced its spring performances after leaving the Kennedy Center.

The company said it was set to premiere of a new version of Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” directed by Denyce Graves and Robert Ward’s “The Crucible,” starring J’Nai Bridges and Ryan McKinny, both taking place at Lisner Auditorium in George Washington University, the same venue where WNO gave its very first performances 70 years ago.

WNO Cafritz Young Artists and the WNO Orchestra will also perform several events throughout the region. Additionally, WNO will announce details and venues at a later date for its May productions of “West Side Story” and annual Opera Gala, which will be hosted this year by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, as previously announced, and Jamie Bernstein, author and daughter of Leonard Bernstein.

The company also said that the American Opera Initiative has been postponed, and the rescheduled dates and venues will be announced soon.

Here is a run down of the announced performances: 

“Treemonisha” by Scott Joplin will be adapted and orchestrated by Damien Sneed with additional lyrics by Kyle Bass.

Performance Dates: March 7-15, 2026 at the Lisner Auditorium 

Robert Ward’s “The Crucible” will star J’Nai Bridges and Ryan McKinny in a production by Francesca Zambello.

Performance Dates: March 21-29, 2026 at the Lisner Auditorium 

Additional Programs

WNO Cafritz Young Artists will perform with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in “Beethoven & Bohème,” featuring scenes from Puccini’s “La Bohème.”

Performance Dates: Feb. 14, 2026 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center & Feb. 15, 2026 at George Washington Masonic Memorial

Cafritz Young Artists will perform Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief,” which was staged by the composer for the Opera in its inaugural season.

Performance Date: April 16, 2026

The musicians of the Washington National Opera Orchestra will be performing in several upcoming concerts in the area:

Events include a recital of Russian opera and songs on Jan. 23 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church; Mendelssohn Piano Trio benefit concert for Jamaica on Feb. 15 at National Presbyterian Church; works by Caroline Shaw and Mendelssohn at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Feb. 22; a program of favorite operatic moments featuring the Cafritz Young Artists on March 1 at the Hylton Center; and a program by women composers on March 17 at The Rectory on Princess Street.