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District of Columbia
Related: About this forumWashington National Opera opens first show since leaving Kennedy Center
Washington National Opera opens first show since leaving Kennedy Center
Alan Etter | alan.etter@wtop.com
March 9, 2026, 7:00 PM

The Washington National Opera Company opened "Treemonisha" this weekend to two sold-out audiences at Lisner Auditorium on the campus of George Washington University.(Courtesy Elman Studio)
The Washington National Opera opened Treemonisha this weekend to two sold-out audiences at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University. ... Its the first show the opera company has produced since announcing in January that it would be leaving the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Washington National Opera General Director Timothy OLeary told WTOP when he and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello took the stage to welcome the audience, they were met by a more than two-minute-long standing ovation.
Its been a really exciting, inspiring kind of groundswell of support, OLeary said of the overwhelming responses the opera has received since making the decision to leave the Kennedy Center.
He added the opera has maintained a constructive discussion with the Kennedy Center, and he would not rule out a return to the facility, where Washington National Opera spent 55 years of its residency in D.C.
{snip}
Alan Etter | alan.etter@wtop.com
March 9, 2026, 7:00 PM

The Washington National Opera Company opened "Treemonisha" this weekend to two sold-out audiences at Lisner Auditorium on the campus of George Washington University.(Courtesy Elman Studio)
The Washington National Opera opened Treemonisha this weekend to two sold-out audiences at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University. ... Its the first show the opera company has produced since announcing in January that it would be leaving the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Washington National Opera General Director Timothy OLeary told WTOP when he and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello took the stage to welcome the audience, they were met by a more than two-minute-long standing ovation.
Its been a really exciting, inspiring kind of groundswell of support, OLeary said of the overwhelming responses the opera has received since making the decision to leave the Kennedy Center.
He added the opera has maintained a constructive discussion with the Kennedy Center, and he would not rule out a return to the facility, where Washington National Opera spent 55 years of its residency in D.C.
{snip}
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Washington National Opera opens first show since leaving Kennedy Center (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
7 hrs ago
OP
regnaD kciN
(27,604 posts)1. Ironic, because that was the only opera I saw AT the Kennedy Center...
back in 1974, during its world premiere production.
oberle
(341 posts)2. I'm so happy I have a ticket to see it Sunday.
usonian
(24,744 posts)3. GREAT music by genius Scott Joplin.
