National Symphony Orchestra
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), founded in 1931, is an American symphony orchestra based in Washington, D.C.. Its principal performing venue is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Washington National Opera
The Washington National Opera was established in 1957 as the "Opera Society of Washington" by Day Thorpe, the music critic of the now defunct "Washington Star", but then the most influential Washington newspaper of its day. Paul Callaway, the choirmaster and organist of the Washington National Cathedral, was its first music director. Together, the two set out to seek funding and they found support from Gregory and Peggy Smith who provided $10,000 as seed money for a production of Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" which would be performed following the end of their summer season (which Calloway conducted) by the Washington Symphony Orchestra.