The Washington National Opera has announced it will move its performances out of the John F. Kennedy Center, ending a relationship that has lasted since 1971.
The decision follows major leadership changes at the center after D*** T**** declared himself chair earlier this year, removed the existing board, and installed new leadership. Opera officials say the shift has deeply damaged audience trust, donor confidence, and financial stability.
Artistic director Francesca Zambello said box office sales dropped sharply, with roughly 40 percent of seats now remaining unsold compared with previous seasons. She added that many longtime supporters are openly boycotting the venue and expressing anger through letters and canceled subscriptions.
According to Zambello, some patrons returned season brochures shredded in envelopes, while others compared the situation to historical authoritarian takeovers and vowed not to return until leadership changes again. She described donor confidence as shattered and said daily messages of protest reflect a widespread cultural backlash.
In a formal statement, the opera confirmed it will seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit organization. The company has already launched its own standalone website in preparation for the transition.
The departure marks one of the most significant institutional exits since the leadership restructuring. Several artists have already canceled scheduled performances, including holiday shows, while composer Stephen Schwartz withdrew from a planned gala appearance.
The Kennedy Center’s recent decision to add D*** T****’s name to the institution further intensified controversy, triggering additional cancellations and legal action. Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit arguing that only Congress has the authority to alter the center’s official name.
Opera officials cited declining attendance, falling donations, and reputational harm as the primary reasons for their decision, signaling that the organization believes independence is now necessary for its survival.
Negotiations with Kennedy Center leadership are expected to begin soon to formalize the separation.
