From left: Miran Halen, Noemi Neidorff, Monica Neidorff

SWEET SPRING: Opera Theatre St. Louis’ triumvirate of general director Timothy O’Leary, music director Stephen Lord and artistic director James Robinson made its official debut on Saturday night at the company’s annual spring gala.

Event co-chairs Cathy Berges and Veronica McDonnell ushered in the company’s 34th season by creating a French setting - in the company’s parking lot, no less — to celebrate Opera Theatre’s new production of “The Ghosts of Versailles.” The weather was a perfect accompaniment to the event.

With a slightly smaller event turnout than usual, apparently due to corporate purse tightening, chairman Spencer Burke reported that ticket sales were strong for the festival season, which opens May 23. Guests were treated to a wonderful performance by Alyson Cambridge, Derek Taylor and Tim Mix, who will appear in this season’s “La boheme.”

From left: Karen Foss, Joel Ferber, Rep. Rachel Storch

Among those seen soaking up the scene were Opera Theatre’s chairman emerita Donna Wilkinson, who was recognized for her dedication and fundraising prowess even in these challenging times, Noemi and Michael Neidorff with their children Peter and Monica Neidorff, Sally Levy and Richie Wolheim, Mabel Purkerson and Jessie Ternberg, Jinny and Larry Browning, Barbara Bryant and Jack Taylor, Kim and Tim Eberlein, Cheri and Ron Fromm, Debra Hollingsworth and Mark Stacye, Ann Lee and Will Konneker, Patty Hecker (looking divine with a feather and a tiara in her hair!), Pris and Sandy McDonnell, Marsha and Bill Rusnack, state Rep. Rachel Storch and Joel Ferber, Jim Timmerberg, David Diener and Ann Wells, Bruce and Sally Higginbotham, Philip Slein, Betty Gershman, Dolph Bridgewater, Bert and Karen Condie, Karen Foss, Patricia and Dr. Bill Peck, Roseann Weiss (wearing eye-dazzline earrings from the estate of the late Helen Weiss) and Harper Barnes and Carol and Tom Voss.