
Washington National Opera’s 2026/27 season has arrived—and it is unlike anything in our history. We enter our next season as a fully independent company—bold in vision, forward in spirit, and powered by you!
This season celebrates bold artistic ambition, fearless creativity, and the extraordinary power of live performance. Featuring internationally acclaimed artists including Renée Fleming, Christine Goerke, Thomas Hampson, Karah Son, Isabel Leonard, Amber R. Monroe, Gregory Kunde, and more, WNO’s 70th anniversary season invites audiences into immersive new productions, beloved classics, groundbreaking contemporary works, and entirely new theatrical experiences.
Join us as we transform the opera experience across the Washington, D.C. region—from a reimagined DAR Constitution Hall, to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, to Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theater Company, to The Music Center at Strathmore—each space designed to bring you closer to the art than ever before.
At DAR Constitution Hall, discover opera in WNO’s immersive “Revolutionary Stage”—a 270-degree thrust setting, where orchestra and action surround you, and the story unfolds all around. Sip, savor, and experience opera as a living, social, unforgettable event.
This is not just a season—it’s a movement.
DAR Constitution Hall
1776 D St. NW, Washington, DC 20006
Kreeger Theater at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
WNO Studio
6925 Willow Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20012
Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company
610 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852

November 7, 13, 20 at 7pm and 15 at 2pm
DAR Constitution Hall
Puccini’s timeless tragedy returns in a striking new production on WNO’s Revolutionary Stage. Korean soprano Karah Son makes her company debut as Cio-Cio-San alongside tenor Matthew White and Cafritz Young Artist alumna Michelle Mariposa. In a setting evocative of Japan by Walt Spangler, this immersive staging brings Butterfly’s devastating emotional journey thrillingly close.

November 14, 19 at 7pm, and 21 at 2pm
DAR Constitution Hall
Political spectacle meets intimate human drama in John Adams’s modern masterpiece. Superstar soprano Renée Fleming opposite acclaimed baritone Thomas Hampson return to the WNO stage as Pat and Richard Nixon. Conducted by Robert Spano and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer, this reimagined production blends rare archival footage, bold visual storytelling, and Adams’s electrifying score into an unforgettable theatrical event.

November 22 at 4pm
DAR Constitution Hall
A sweeping concert event featuring Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, and Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner Amber R. Monroe, We the People explores humanity’s enduring longing for liberty through some of opera’s most stirring music—from Nabucco to Il Trovatore and beyond.
*Subscription Add-On (option coming soon!)

Dec. 18 at 5pm, Dec. 19 at 2pm & 5pm, and Dec. 20 at 2pm & 5pm
Kreeger Theater at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
Perfect for families and first-time audiences, Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke’s Odyssey transforms Greek myth into a vibrant 70-minute theatrical adventure featuring large-scale puppetry, featuring WNO’s Youth Chorus, Cafritz Young Artists, and orchestra.
*Subscription Add-On (option coming soon!)

Jan. 15 and 16 at 7pm
WNO Studio
WNO continues its commitment to developing new American works through two bold new operas by composer JL Marlor and librettist Clare Bierman exploring identity, ideology, friendship, and violence on a contemporary college campus.
*Subscription Add-On (option coming soon!)

Mar. 12, 18, & 26 at 7pm, and Mar. 14 and 21 & 2pm
Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company
A major world premiere and one of the season's landmark events, O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky is a groundbreaking new ballet-opera inspired by the life and vision of Georgia O’Keeffe, starring Isabel Leonard, Christine Goerke, and William Burden. With music by Grammy Award®- winner Christopher Tin, a libretto by Kelley Rourke, direction by Francesca Zambello, and choreography by Jessica Lang, the production fuses opera and ballet into a stunning theatrical experience.

Mar. 20, 25 at 7pm, and Mar. 27 at 2pm
Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company
Mozart’s mythic drama is reimagined by Francesca Zambello and Kelley Rourke in a fully immersive adaptation inspired by ancient Greek theater. Featuring tenor Gregory Kunde and current and former Cafritz Young Artists, this powerful retelling places raw human emotion at the center of Mozart’s magnificent score.

Apr. 29 at 7pm and May 1* at 6:30pm
The Music Center at Strathmore
Sempre Libera! One of opera’s most beloved masterpieces returns in Francesca Zambello’s elegant production, featuring Italian sensation, Francesca Pia Vitale as Violetta, opposite Ben Bliss as Alfredo. From glittering Parisian salons to heartbreaking sacrifice, La traviata remains one of opera’s most captivating and devastating love stories.
*Subscription Add-On (option coming soon!)

Apr. 30 at 7pm
The Music Center at Strathmore
The stars of tomorrow take the mainstage with a one night only performance of La traviata!
*Subscription Add-On (option coming soon!)

Renée Fleming is Pat Nixon in Nixon in China

Thomas Hampson is Richard Nixon in Nixon in China

Isabel Leonard is Georgia O'Keeffe in O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky

Matthew White is Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly

Karah Son is Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly

Christine Goerke is Mabel Dodge in O'Keefe: Kiss the Sky

Michelle Mariposa is Suzuki in Madama Butterfly

Amber R. Monroe is WNO's 2026/27 Marian Anderson Award Winner

Francesca Pia Vitale is Violetta in La traviata

William Burden is Alfred Stieglitz in O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky

Rodell Rosel is Goro in Madama Butterfly

Kathleen Kim is Madame Mao in Nixon in China

Viviana Goodwin is Ilia in Idomeneo

Donald Lee III conducts Odyssey

Francesa Zambello directs Madama Butterfly, Odyssey, Idomeneo, and La traviata

Elkhanah Pulitzer directs Nixon in China

George Manahan conducts O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky

WNO Cafritz Young Artists
DAR Constitution Hall
1776 D St. NW, Washington, DC 20006
Kreeger Theater at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
WNO Studio
6925 Willow Street NW, 3rd Floor
Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company
610 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852
*May 1 is also WNO's annual Opera Gala! Tickets and packages will be announced soon.
Our initial subscription offering is a 4-show package for opening nights, matinees, weeknights or Women Who Opera.
The subscription includes the following productions:
Our remaining productions are add-ons:
Add-on shows (La traviata, We the People, Odyssey, and American Opera Initiative) will be available within the week, and we will email everyone who has purchased a subscription to give you first choice.
We will make additional subscription packages available in the future, including a Select-3 and BravO Young Professionals option.
*If you would like to purchase a Gala ticket or package for La traviata on May 1st, please wait until the Gala packages are announced (coming soon!).
After deciding which subscription package is best for you, you’ll choose a seating zone instead of selecting exact seats. Seating options range from Zone 1 premium seating through Zone 5 upper-level seating.
During checkout, you may share seating preferences, accessibility needs, or other seating notes, and we will do our best to accommodate requests whenever possible. After your order is received, seats will be assigned by our Box Office team within your selected zone.
Renewing subscribers receive priority seating assignments, followed by new subscribers in the order subscriptions are received.
Seats and ticket zones will vary according to venue.
Once you have selected your preferred package and ticket zone, you may purchase your subscription by clicking on the package image. We accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank accounts, Apple Pay, Klarna, and more.
During checkout, you will have the opportunity to share seating preferences within your selected zone, such as aisle seating, center seating, or seats closer to the front of the zone. Please also include any accessibility or ADA seating needs for members of your party so our Box Office team can best accommodate your request.
This package includes the opening night performances of Madama Butterfly (Nov. 7), Nixon in China (Nov. 14), O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky (Mar. 12), and Mozart's Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale (Mar. 20)
Premium seats - typically Box and front of Orchestra
4 Shows - Friday & Saturdays, 7pm
Typically Orchestra seats
4 Shows - Friday & Saturdays, 7pm
Typically rear orchestra and mezzanine seats
4 Shows - Friday & Saturdays, 7pm
Typically rear mezzanine seats
4 Shows - Friday & Saturdays, 7pm
Typically balcony seats
4 Shows - Friday & Saturdays, 7pm
This package includes the Saturday and Sunday matinee performances of Madama Butterfly (Nov. 15), Nixon in China (Nov. 22), O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky (Mar. 14), and Mozart's Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale (Mar. 27)
Premium seats - typically box and front of orchestra
4 Shows - Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm
Typically orchestra seats
4 Shows - Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm
Typically rear orchestra and mezzanine seats
4 Shows - Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm
Typically rear mezzanine seats
4 Shows - Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm
Typically balcony seats
4 Shows - Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm
This package includes the Thursday and Friday performances of Madama Butterfly (Nov. 13), Nixon in China (Nov. 19), O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky (Mar. 18), and Mozart's Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale (Mar. 25)
Typically box and front of orchestra
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically orchestra seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically rear orchestra and mezzanine seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically rear mezzanine seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically balcony seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
This package includes the Thursday and Friday performances of Madama Butterfly (Nov. 13), Nixon in China (Nov. 19), O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky (Mar. 18), and Mozart's Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale (Mar. 25); Women WHO Opera attend operas together and gather during intermission. All women interested in joining this community of opera-lovers are welcome! Email info@washnatopera.org for more info to join!
Premium seats - typically box and front of orchestra
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically orchestra seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically rear orchestra and mezzanine seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically rear mezzanine seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Typically balcony seats
4 Shows - weeknights, 7pm
Individual ticket sales go on sale August 18, 2026.
6955 Willow St NW #377, Washington, DC 20012, USA
202-796-0071 choose Option 1
Mon | 01:00 pm – 04:00 pm | |
Tue | 01:00 pm – 04:00 pm | |
Wed | 01:00 pm – 04:00 pm | |
Thu | 01:00 pm – 04:00 pm | |
Fri | 02:00 pm – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |

Madama Butterfly - In Nagasaki, love takes flight on fragile wings.

Nixon in China ~ Experience a clash of titans in “the week that changed the world.”

We the People - Special Concert, Nov. 22 at 4pm

Odyssey - Heroes, monsters, and mortals collide on an epic journey home!

American Opera Initiative: WOLF | LAMBS new American works

Mozart's Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale - For family, every bargain has a price.

O'Keeffe: Kiss the Sky - The untamed beauty of O’Keeffe’s America — painted in music and movement.

La traviata - She’s the life of the party. But love comes at a price.
Washington National Opera
6955 Willow St. NW, #377, Washington, DC 20012 | info@washnatopera.org | EIN 53-0237707
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