Kennedy Center's Head Of Programming quits after 12 days

Well, that’s over. The New York Times reported yesterday evening that Couch had resigned from the position. He didn’t offer an explanation as to why he chose to end his tenure after just 12 days. 

But what a 12 days they’ve been. Couch’s tenure saw Philip Glass cancel a planned performance of his Symphony No. 15, “Lincoln,” which was scheduled for June. In a statement, Glass wrote, “Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.” At the time, the center’s vice president of public relations responded, per the Associated Press, “We have no place for politics in the arts, and those calling for boycotts based on politics are making the wrong decision.” Last Friday, opera soprano Renée Fleming also pulled out of two scheduled performances at the center. Tonight’s premiere of Brett Ratner’s Melania documentary, however, is expected to go on as scheduled.