Renée Fleming Becomes Latest Star to Drop Out of a Kennedy Center Engagement

Renowned soprano Renée Fleming has withdrawn from her scheduled performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, set for May 29-30, 2026. The venue's website cites a "scheduling conflict" for her departure, noting that a replacement soloist and program will be announced later. Fleming, celebrated with a Kennedy Center Honor in 2023, previously served as the institution's Artistic Advisor at Large but resigned from that role last year following significant leadership changes.

Fleming's cancellation is the latest in a series of high-profile withdrawals that have depleted the 2026 schedule. These include the Martha Graham Dance Company, which pulled out of an April engagement citing "a variety of reasons," and a long list of other artists such as composer Stephen Schwartz, a production of "Hamilton," and musicians Béla Fleck and Rhiannon Giddens. The exodus began after former President Donald J. Trump assumed the chairmanship in early 2025, replacing much of the board with his associates. This politicized environment has made it difficult for many artists to proceed with their commitments, with several explicitly citing the charged atmosphere as their reason for leaving.

The venue's current president, Richard Grenell, a conservative commentator active on social media, has aggressively countered the cancellations. He accused banjoist Béla Fleck of "cav[ing] to the woke mob" after Fleck stated performing had become "charged and political." In a more extreme move, Grenell threatened jazz musician Chuck Redd with a $1 million lawsuit for canceling a New Year's Eve show, though no legal action has materialized. The board's recent vote to rename the facility the Trump-Kennedy Center remains contentious, with many legal experts arguing a presidential memorial requires an act of Congress to rename, leading to ongoing use of the original name.

This turmoil has had a tangible impact on attendance. Data obtained by the New York Times shows a stark decline, with single-ticket sales down 50% and subscription revenue for theater and dance plunging 82% and 57%, respectively, in April-May 2024 compared to the previous year. As one cultural policy analyst noted, "When a performing arts center becomes a political battleground, it's the art and the audience that ultimately lose." The remaining 2026 lineup is now led by predominantly right-leaning acts like comedians Adam Carolla and Jeff Foxworthy and singer Tyrese.

Kennedy Center leadership, however, points to financial injections as signs of stability, highlighting $130 million in private fundraising since the takeover and $257 million in congressionally approved funds directed by the president for renovations. Despite these figures, the continued loss of flagship artists and plummeting audience numbers present a significant challenge to the institution's legacy as a national, non-partisan home for the performing arts.