An operatic breakup has turned litigious in Washington, with the Washington National Opera suing the Kennedy Center for more than $17 million it says it's owed. In a complaint filed in the US Court of Federal Claims, the opera alleges the Kennedy Center has refused to turn over endowment money, donations, and other income held for the company's benefit since the groups split in January. The opera says those funds are "critical" to its survival and accuses the center of using at least some of the money as collateral for its own line of credit, reports the New York Times. "The funds held by the Kennedy Center represent years of gifts and contributions made by loyal WNO donors who specifically directed their support to benefit WNO and its mission," the opera said in its court filing.
The Kennedy Center, created by Congress, is named as a defendant, as is the federal government, reports the Hill. Kennedy Center representatives have not publicly commented. The case lands amid broader turmoil at the institution, including a separate legal battle over the removal of President Trump's name and his renovation plan. Tensions between the opera and the center escalated after Trump, as board chair, installed new leadership that demanded "revenue-neutral" programming and took tighter control of finances. A third-party accounting review is underway, but the opera says it has seen no commitment that any money will actually be paid.
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