Please reach us at info@washnatopera.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
As WNO enters its 70th anniversary year, our Board and staff made the difficult decision to seek an end to our 15-year Affiliation Agreement with the Kennedy Center. The Center has adopted a new business model that is not compatible with how nonprofit opera companies operate long-term. After extensive deliberation, we concluded that continuing under the current structure would limit WNO’s artistic planning, financial sustainability, and operational viability.
Yes. Washington National Opera Inc. already exists as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with its own bank and brokerage accounts. Our EIN is 53-0237707. We are accepting donations directly and are moving forward as a fully independent producing organization.
Prior to our departure, WNO relied on the Kennedy Center for many administrative services and will now be responsible for setting up these operations independent of the Center. When we were part of the Kennedy Center, the Center’s finance department managed all fiscal matters for WNO, including the processing of donations. Donations directed to WNO through the Kennedy Center were isolated by their financial department for use only for WNO’s purposes. Now, since we are fully independent from that oversight, WNO is entirely managing its own finances through its WNO Inc. accounts.
Thank you for your support!
You can make a gift directly to WNO through our giving page.
Additionally, if you have questions or would like to discuss having your gift assigned to a specific purpose (such as for the Cafritz Young Artists, a specific production or project), or for information on setting up an estate gift, please contact us at giving@washnatopera.org and we will get back to you by email or to set a mutual time for a conversation. Very soon, the WNO Development office will be reachable by phone and staff will have direct emails; in the meantime, please contact us through this link and we will get back to you in short order.
Patrons who have already purchased tickets for WNO events previously held at the Kennedy Center are receiving refunds. You can contact the Kennedy Center Box Office for more information.
American Opera Initiative is an important pillar of WNO’s enduring vision for building the future of American opera by giving world premieres each year to three new works, created by a diverse array of first-time opera composers and librettists. We hope to announce a new date and venue soon.
You might have noticed a refund of your Kennedy Center ticket(s) by the Kennedy Center Box Office. You can contact the Kennedy Center Box Office for more information about refunds.
We are moving our performances to new venues!
This spring our productions of Treemonisha and The Crucible will be held at Lisner Auditorium at 730 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20037.
West Side Story (fully-staged) will take place at the Lyric Baltimore, 140 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201.
We will offer a semi-staged performance West Side Story at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852.
Please join our mailing list to be informed when we announce additional venues for the rest of our 2025-26 season.
Visit our Productions page for more detailed information and to purchase tickets.
You can access tickets for Washington National Opera productions from our Tickets page.
Yes. We will offer exclusive pre-sale opportunities for our loyal subscribers to have early access to their pick of seats. Subscribers may send an email to the WNO Team to request their access code or promo code.
WNO performances are for everyone, and there’s no required dress code. You’ll see attendees wearing everything from jeans to black tie. Wear what feels right to you and enjoy the experience.
Some operas are performed in English; others are sung in their original language. All WNO performances include projected English titles so you can easily follow the story.
No. This was a heart-wrenching decision reached after significant reflection and discussion. The Kennedy Center had been WNO’s home since 1971, and our formal affiliation since 2011 has brought prestige and many successes. We are deeply grateful for that history, especially as we celebrate our 70th anniversary this year. Precisely because of its importance, we took this decision very seriously and only moved forward once it was clear the current arrangement could not support WNO’s future.
The Center’s leadership implemented a new business model requiring each production or event to be fully underwritten through projected ticket sales and secured contributed revenue before seasons could be approved. For most nonprofit opera companies, this is impractical, since seasons must be conceived and developed well in advance of funding opportunities and the timing of when it is optimal to project revenue from ticket sales. While every effort is made to secure this advance funding for future projects, the majority of our individual supporters, grantors, and corporations are not prepared to commit this far ahead.
Even with sold-out performances, ticket sales typically cover only 30–60% of an opera company’s operating costs. The remainder comes from philanthropy and grants, much of which cannot be secured years in advance. Opera is also one of the most complex art forms—productions involve nearly 200 artists and technicians and require two or more years of preparation. The financial and artistic timelines simply don’t align with the new requirements of the Center.
One of WNO’s guiding principles during the transition is to support the people of WNO. All artist contracts will be honored.
Yes. Even without securing all funding years in advance, WNO has successfully operated with balanced budgets since 2018. Our model works because we design seasons holistically, balancing popular operas with newer or lesser-known works. Success from major titles helps support innovative and mission-driven productions.
Find answers to common questions about purchasing tickets, including where to buy, subscriber access, seating, refunds, and what to expect on performance day. Email info@washnatopera.org if you don't see your question here.
The main difference is that the fully-staged performances at the Lyric Baltimore will include a set. The semi-staged performances at The Music Center at Strathmore will feature costumes, props, and dance, but no set.
You can buy tickets for all of our performances via the venue box offices. To protect yourself from fraudulent sites, we have created direct links to official ticketing sites from this page and each of our show pages.
We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from third-party sellers.
Please do not try to purchase tickets to those events as they are now cancelled. WNO is working to get the Kennedy Center events removed as soon as possible. Please only select the Lisner Auditorium event listings.
Wheelchair accessible and companion seats are available for purchase via a variety of methods, depending on the venue. You can also contact the venue directly for details on available ADA/Accessibility services.
Lisner Auditorium: online and in person. To view these ticket types online:
Lisner Auditorium is equipped with accessibility ramps and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. There is an accessibility ramp located to the left side of the entrance doors to Lisner Auditorium and should be used by anyone with a mobility aid device or those who cannot utilize stairs. When at the theater, please speak with an usher or a house manager about additional accommodation in the venue’s ADA section.
Lyric Baltimore: For ADA/accessible seating information or to request a sign language interpreter, please call 410-900-1165 or email karen@mdlyric.org.
The Music Center at Strathmore: Please visit their website for more information or call the Ticket office during business hours at 301-581-5100.
At this time, WNO offers pre-sale access to our Donors, Season Ticket Subscribers, our Women Who Opera group, and Friends of the Denyce Graves Foundation. If you are a member of one of these groups, please complete this form or email admin@washnatopera.org for an early access code.
Yes! WNO is lucky to enjoy the loyal support of our Women Who Opera (WHO) and BravO Young Professionals (between the ages of 18 and 40 years) groups. They host special nights during a production, along with other fun events. If you are interested in joining, please email info@washnatopera.org.
Women Who Opera Performances:
BravO Nights:
Yes! Students may access a 20% discount by emailing info@washnatopera.org from their school address. We also encourage students to consider joining Bravo Young Professionals group for further discounts and opportunities to connect with opera lovers and and the opera-curious at our performances and beyond.
Lisner Auditorium is Metro accessible via the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station on the Blue/Orange/Silver Lines (0.3 miles away) and the Farragut North Station on the Red Line (0.7 miles away). Information on Metro-operated parking lots, service updates, fares, and bus routes, are available from the Trip Planner on the Metro website or by calling (202) 637-7000, or TTY (202) 638-3780.
Metered street parking may be limited. Additional paid parking is available at the following locations near Lisner Auditorium:
Please check all garage hours to confirm their availability during performance hours. Washington National Opera is not responsible for issues within the garages, including changes to garage hours or parking rates. No neighborhood garages offer a discounted rate associated with WNO performances.
Washington National Opera
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