Washington National Opera Celebrates Independence with Sold-Out Shows

The opera company's first production since leaving the Kennedy Center draws enthusiastic crowds.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The Washington National Opera's first show since severing its 55-year affiliation with the Kennedy Center, the production of "Treemonisha" at the Lisner Auditorium, has been met with sold-out crowds and a rapturous reception. The move marks a symbolic homecoming for the company, which was founded at the Lisner in 1956. Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and General Director Timothy O'Leary received a standing ovation, with O'Leary describing the "incredible surge of enthusiasm and support" from both regular and new audience members.

Why it matters

The Washington National Opera's break from the Kennedy Center came amid pressure from Trump-appointed Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell over operational control, concerns about donor confidence, and collapsing ticket sales since the Trump takeover. The opera's defiant move to independent venues has been seen as a stand for American civil society values and mission-based institutions.

The details

The production of "Treemonisha" at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University marks the Washington National Opera's first show since severing its 55-year affiliation with the Kennedy Center in January. The split came amid pressure from Trump-appointed Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell over operational control, concerns about donor confidence, and a 40% drop in ticket revenues since the Trump administration took over. The return to the Lisner, where the company was founded in 1956, has taken on symbolic significance, with General Director Timothy O'Leary framing it as a homecoming rooted in American civil society values.

  • The Washington National Opera announced its departure from the Kennedy Center in January 2026.
  • The production of "Treemonisha" at the Lisner Auditorium took place on the weekend of March 10, 2026.

The players

Francesca Zambello

The Artistic Director of the Washington National Opera.

Timothy O'Leary

The General Director of the Washington National Opera.

Richard Grenell

The Trump-appointed Executive Director of the Kennedy Center.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a really exciting, inspiring kind of groundswell of support. As soon as we announced that we were producing the rest of our season at new venues, we heard overwhelmingly, not only from our audience, people saying, 'I wasn't coming but now I'm coming, absolutely. I'm coming twice.' We also heard from people who wrote in and said, 'I don't even like opera, but I'll come and attend any performance you give anywhere.'”

— Timothy O'Leary, General Director, Washington National Opera

“Thank you for believing in the idea of American civil society, whereby institutions that are mission-based like this are created and nurtured by we the people. We've been feeling this incredible surge of enthusiasm and support from not only our usual but people from around the country.”

— Timothy O'Leary, General Director, Washington National Opera

What’s next

The Washington National Opera will present "The Crucible" from March 21 through March 29, followed by two performances of "West Side Story" at The Lyric in Baltimore and Strathmore in North Bethesda to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.

The takeaway

The Washington National Opera's defiant break from the Kennedy Center and move to independent venues has been met with an overwhelming surge of support, both from regular patrons and new audience members. This stands as a symbolic victory for mission-driven institutions and American civil society values in the face of political pressure and declining support.