Not a single Freedom Fry could be found at French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte's residence, site of the Washington Opera's 45th annual ball on June 7th. There was, however, lots of French champagne and delicious desserts (by Occasions Caterers) at the black-tie affair that followed dinners at embassies around town.

Actors in 18th-century costumes were flown in from Versailles for the occasion; in all, five hundred and fifty guests gathered in the tented cerise and pink ballroom for dessert and dancing.

A record $3.5 million was raised, thanks to ball chairman Betty Scripps Harvey and James Kimsey. Vive la France, and Vive l' Opera!

1) Jamie Craft, actor dressed as Ben Franklin, and Washington Opera board member Robert H. Craft Jr. 2) NPR’s Nina Totenberg, her husband Dr. David Reines, David & Shirley Levey 3) Robin Pearce & Jean-Blaise Kikudi 4) Charlotte & Michael Buxton 5) Jim Kimsey & Jennifer Grossman 6) HUD Secretary Mel Martinez & his wife Kitty 7) William T. Hunter & Washington Opera president Michael R. Sonnenreich 8) Junita Duggan & Huntington Block 9) Lucky Roosevelt, Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington, Betty Casey, John Irelan, & Marjorie Billington 10) Former Rep. Phillip Ruppe & Ann Ruppe 11) French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte, his daughter Mathilde, & Nora Bustavey 12) Ina Ginsburg and Sen. Thad Cochran 13) French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte and Betty Scripps Harvey 14) Mary & Mandy Ourisman, and Garnett Stackelberg