Opera Co. Wants $17M From Kennedy Center in Fiery Lawsuit
Mediaite • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Washington National Opera has filed a lawsuit seeking over $17 million from the John F. Kennedy Center, alleging the center withheld funds belonging to the opera company after their separation earlier this year.
- The disputed funds reportedly include endowment assets, donor contributions, and other money collected during the affiliation between the two organizations.
- The lawsuit claims that some funds intended for the opera were used as collateral for a line of credit, while the Kennedy Center denies these claims, asserting the funds belong to the center.
- The Kennedy Center contends the opera created a $72 million deficit during their affiliation and calls the lawsuit meritless, indicating plans to file a countersuit.
- The opera company, now performing at other venues, says the Kennedy Center never agreed to transfer the funds despite hiring an outside firm to assess the owed amount.