press releases and statements

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Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the renowned leadership team of General Director Timothy O’Leary, Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, and Music Director Robert Spano, the company presents a diverse repertory of grand opera. From classic operas to contemporary works, each season the WNO’s artistic output also includes several commissioned American works and a variety of special concerts, youth operas, and events. 

Recent celebrated productions include this season’s stagings of Verdi’s Aida and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and last season’s landmark production of Turandot, with a newly commissioned ending to complete Puccini’s unfinished final opera by Grammy- and Emmy-winners Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton. WNO’s wide-ranging and diverse repertoire has included grand works, like Strauss’ Elektra, starring Christine Goerke, and Zambello’s internationally acclaimed Ring Cycle, to the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tessori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue and the world premiere of Philip Glass’ reconceived Appomattox.

Founded in 1956, WNO became an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center in 2011; in 2026, WNO ended this affiliation and returned to operating as a fully independent entity. WNO has a storied legacy of more than 100 new productions, plus world premieres, international tours, live recordings, and radio broadcasts, digitally streamed content, as well as innovative education and community-engagement programs. Throughout its history, WNO has been led by titans in the opera field, including the legendary Plácido Domingo who headed the company for 15 years, as well as luminaries such as Music Director Heinz Fricke and Director of Artistic Operations Christina Scheppelmann. Current Artistic Director Zambello is a 2026 Opera America Hall of Fame inductee.

Among the company’s most successful programs is the American Opera Initiative (AOI), which was founded in 2012. This commissioning program develops new one-act works for WNO’s annual festival. By mentoring emerging composers and librettists, the Initiative works to expand the American operatic repertory and enhance its relevance to our time. Since its inception, AOI has commissioned 40 chamber operas, with some going on to future productions around the country. Alumni of the Initiative have gone on to contribute more than 55 operas to the American repertory.  

With a commitment toward youth, WNO contributes to the future of opera through two signature artist-development programs. The Cafritz Young Artist Program, now in its 21st season, is one of the nation’s most competitive professional training programs, providing two years of intensive study to a highly selective cadre of young singers and collaborative pianists. Alumni of the program have won major competitions and gone on to successful careers at major opera houses worldwide. For many years, WNO has offered the WNO Opera Institute, which nurtures the ambitions of high-school-age singers from across the nation during an intensive three-week summer program held at American University in Washington. WNO recently initiated a commitment to young people in the juvenile justice system, empowering youth to speak, sing, and express their truth through art.

The most popular of WNO’s community-engagement programs is Opera in the Outfield®, a free WNO Opera production broadcast on the high-definition scoreboard at Nationals Park. The company also offers free pre-concert lectures before every performance. Washington National Opera also produces a robust variety of digital content that enhances patrons' understanding of and appreciation for opera and WNO productions.