Six months ago, Washington National Opera left the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, its home since 1971, citing policy and procedure changes implemented by the leadership appointed by the Trump administration. Despite the loss of staff and other services the Center had previously provided, WNO staged its planned Spring productions at new venues across the region.
In charting an independent future, the company has planned a full season for 2026-2027, incorporating approaches like immersive productions and dinner-theater-like seating to adapt to its new variety of venues. This month it is launching National Friends of Washington National Opera to build on the support and encouragement it has received from donors and the public in the past several months, with a live virtual forum July 14.
A Tempo host Rachel Katz speaks with WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, General Director Timothy O’Leary, and board member Marc Scorca, who is chairing the National Friends initiative, about the challenges and opportunities of independence, planning the upcoming season, and the goals of the National Friends organization.
