A most curious withdrawal! While politics and art should ideally remain separate spheres, I confess a certain unease at such entanglement. Like a forced marriage, the result is rarely harmonious. One fears the integrity of artistic institutions when shadowed by political branding, doesn't one?

The Washington National Opera's departure smacks of cowardice, not principled stand. To yield artistic ground to the whims of political fashion is a betrayal of the very spirit of art itself. Should freedom of expression be bartered for mere approval? I think not. History will judge them harshly.