The Washington National Opera on Friday introduced it’s parting methods with the Kennedy Center after greater than a decade with the arts establishment.
“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera mentioned in a press release.
The decoupling marks one other high-profile withdrawal since President Donald Trump and his newly put in board of trustees instituted broad thematic and cosmetic changes to the constructing, together with renaming the facility “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The opera mentioned it plans to “reduce its spring season and relocate performances to new venues.”
A supply acquainted with the dynamic informed NCS the choice to half methods was made by the opera’s board and its management, and that the choice was not mutual.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center mentioned in a press release, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump’s hand-picked board, said on X, “Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and limiting in choice and variety.”
Grenell added, “Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart. And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”
Since taking the reins at the heart, Grenell has lower current employees, employed political allies and mandated a “break-even policy” for each efficiency.
The opera mentioned the new coverage was a think about its choice to go away the heart.
“The Center’s new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance—a requirement incompatible with opera operations,” the opera mentioned.
Francesca Zambello, the opera’s creative director, mentioned she is “deeply saddened to leave The Kennedy Center.”
“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and new ways of performing, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she mentioned.
The New York Times first reported the opera’s departure.
Founded in 1956 as the “Opera Society of Washington,” the group has carried out throughout the district, taking everlasting residency in the Kennedy Center in 2011.
The performing arts heart has been hit with a string of abrupt cancellations from artists in current weeks together with the jazz group The Cookers and New York City-based dance firm Doug Varone and Dancers who canceled their performances after Trump’s identify was added to the heart – a dwelling memorial for assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
The American College Theater Festival voted to droop its relationship with the Kennedy Center, calling the affiliation “no longer viable” and citing issues over a misalignment of the group’s values.
American banjo participant Béla Fleck withdrew his upcoming efficiency with the National Symphony Orchestra, saying that acting at the heart has turn into “charged and political.”
The Brentano String Quartet, who canceled their February 1 efficiency at the Kennedy Center, mentioned they are going to “regretfully forego performing there.”
NCS has reached out to the Kennedy Center on the further cancellations.
The opera mentioned, “The Board and management of the company wish the Center well in its own future endeavors.”
NCS’s Betsy Klein and Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.