(Alyssa Ray’s article appeared on The Wrap, 1/9/25. Photo: A view of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which was recently renamed the The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the performing arts in Washington, DC on December 29, 2025. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“We have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship,” a rep for the venue says
The Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center after performing there for over 50 years.
The opera company shared the decision after a resolution to leave the storied venue, now cloaked in controversy, was approved by the WNO’s board of trustees on Friday.
“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 WNO said in a statement.
Per the resolution, the WNO will — as soon as possible — move its slated performances out of the Trump-Kennedy Center’s Opera House, exiting a venue they’ve played at since 1971.
