Washington National Opera to Leave Kennedy Center Amid Financial Constraints and Trump's Takeover
In a move that marks another high-profile departure, the Washington National Opera has announced it will stop performing at the Kennedy Center, citing financial constraints imposed by President Trump's takeover of the venue.
The opera's decision comes as the Kennedy Center's new board, installed by Trump, seeks to rebrand the venue with the president's name. While Congress still formally calls it the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the building's exterior and website now refer to it as the Trump Kennedy Center.
Washington National Opera officials said they will seek an "amicable transition" out of their affiliation with the Kennedy Center and return to operating independently. The opera cited financial constraints imposed by Trump's changes as a key factor in its decision.
"We have been proud to be affiliated with a national monument to the human spirit," said Francesca Zambello, artistic director of Washington National Opera for the past 14 years. "But the new business model at the Kennedy Center is incompatible with our operations."
The opera will reduce its spring season and move performances to other venues to ensure fiscal prudence and fulfill its obligations for a balanced budget.
Meanwhile, Ric Grenell, an aide to Trump serving as the Kennedy Center's interim executive director, said the venue has spent millions to support the Washington National Opera but continues to operate at a deficit. He believes parting ways with the opera will provide "the flexibility and funds to bring in operas from around the world and across the U.S."
The decision comes amid tensions between Trump and some members of Congress, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who told CBS News he has "bigger fish to fry" rather than commenting on the name change.
Artists such as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Peter Wolf have also cancelled events at the Kennedy Center since Trump took over. The December rebranding as the Trump Kennedy Center led to a new wave of cancellations.
The opera's departure marks another blow to the Kennedy Center, which has seen its reputation and financial stability affected by Trump's leadership. The venue's new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance, which is incompatible with the opera's model of using revenue from popular works to subsidize lesser-known productions.
In a move that marks another high-profile departure, the Washington National Opera has announced it will stop performing at the Kennedy Center, citing financial constraints imposed by President Trump's takeover of the venue.
The opera's decision comes as the Kennedy Center's new board, installed by Trump, seeks to rebrand the venue with the president's name. While Congress still formally calls it the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the building's exterior and website now refer to it as the Trump Kennedy Center.
Washington National Opera officials said they will seek an "amicable transition" out of their affiliation with the Kennedy Center and return to operating independently. The opera cited financial constraints imposed by Trump's changes as a key factor in its decision.
"We have been proud to be affiliated with a national monument to the human spirit," said Francesca Zambello, artistic director of Washington National Opera for the past 14 years. "But the new business model at the Kennedy Center is incompatible with our operations."
The opera will reduce its spring season and move performances to other venues to ensure fiscal prudence and fulfill its obligations for a balanced budget.
Meanwhile, Ric Grenell, an aide to Trump serving as the Kennedy Center's interim executive director, said the venue has spent millions to support the Washington National Opera but continues to operate at a deficit. He believes parting ways with the opera will provide "the flexibility and funds to bring in operas from around the world and across the U.S."
The decision comes amid tensions between Trump and some members of Congress, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who told CBS News he has "bigger fish to fry" rather than commenting on the name change.
Artists such as Lin-Manuel Miranda and Peter Wolf have also cancelled events at the Kennedy Center since Trump took over. The December rebranding as the Trump Kennedy Center led to a new wave of cancellations.
The opera's departure marks another blow to the Kennedy Center, which has seen its reputation and financial stability affected by Trump's leadership. The venue's new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance, which is incompatible with the opera's model of using revenue from popular works to subsidize lesser-known productions.
. All this drama over a name change and financial constraints is just sad. I remember when I was younger, we used to go to the Kennedy Center all the time and love it 
. The opera has been such an integral part of our cultural scene here. It's like they're cutting off a limb from the body 
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. Can't we just focus on bringing people together through music and performance instead of dividing us over petty differences? 
I mean, it's kinda weird that they're leaving because of Trump's takeover... didn't he used to have a pretty bad rep for being all about the arts and stuff? Anyway, I guess his change in business model really does clash with the opera's way of doing things. 
I can see why they'd want to break free from that kinda thing. On the other hand, it's like... isn't this just another example of how politics can mess up art and culture? 
Guess we'll have to see what happens next, I guess...
. So the Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center because Trump's new "business model" is killing them? I mean, it makes sense that it would be, but still... it's just another example of how art and culture get lost in the shuffle when politics takes over 
. It's not like the opera was struggling or anything, they were already making enough money from their popular shows to support themselves... but I guess Trump's changes have ruined that for them 
. Can't believe a beautiful institution like the Kennedy Center is being ruined by Trump's egotistical antics. The fact that they're having to leave because of "financial constraints" just sounds like an excuse for him to cut funding for arts and culture. I mean, come on, can't he see how his decisions are hurting the very thing he's supposed to be supporting? 
but at the same time, i get why they're making this move. maybe they'll find a better fit elsewhere 
. And now they're gonna have to find new venues, which means the opera has to start from scratch... it's a shame 
. Anyway, I hope the opera finds a new home where they can thrive without financial stress 
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, spent like 3 days driving through this crazy-beautiful coastline and stumbled upon an epic hidden waterfall 
. Anyway, back to the opera thing... Trump's name change is getting under people's skin for sure, but what's with all the drama? Can't we just agree on a cool new name and be done with it? 
. Financial constraints are real, folks! And now they gotta start from scratch at some other venue? That's tough. I mean, the Kennedy Center is supposed to be this magical place where art and music come together... but I guess that's not gonna happen if Trump's got his way 
. Maybe this is just an opportunity for them to branch out and perform somewhere new? Fingers crossed for 'em! 
and poor francesca zambello gets stuck with the bill... 
financial constraints r no joke, but i'm surprised this took so long 2 happen 
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. I mean, what happened to all those artists who cancelled their events? didn't anyone speak up or do anything about it? 
the way i see it, trumps new business model is all about big-name acts & profits 
"The first casualty when the ruling ideas cease to be generally accepted is the truth" - Henry George 
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