Renée Fleming Cancels Kennedy Center Concerts

Renée Fleming, the Grammy-winning soprano, has canceled her scheduled performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., next May, marking the latest in a series of high-profile withdrawals from the venue since its leadership changes earlier this year.

The two concerts, set for May 29 and 30, 2026, were to feature Fleming as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra under conductor James Gaffigan. A statement on the Kennedy Center's website attributed the cancellation to a scheduling conflict. "Renée Fleming regrets that, due to a scheduling conflict, she must withdraw from her May 2026 concerts with the NSO," it read. The orchestra plans to announce a replacement soloist and adjusted repertoire soon, while the rest of the program, including works by Aaron Copland and Charles Ives, will proceed as planned. Fleming's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Fleming's decision aligns with her prior involvement with the institution. She served as Artistic Advisor at Large from 2016 until resigning in February 2025, shortly after the ousting of Kennedy Center Chair David Rubenstein and President Deborah Rutter. The...