Symphony Finale

Forget the formal handshakes. It was hugs--and a few tears--for Louis Spisto on Wednesday when supporters of the Pacific Symphony gathered at a farewell dinner.

Spisto, executive director of the orchestra for more than 10 years, leaves Orange County at the end of this month for Michigan, where he will head up the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall.

“These have been happy years with the Mighty Spisto,” orchestra president Janice Johnson told the 200-strong crowd at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. “Like many of you, I can’t imagine the Pacific Symphony without Lou . . . his perpetual energy, exceptional talent and total dedication.”

Mingling with well-wishers during the cocktail reception, Spisto said he would miss Orange County. “I’ve had a marvelous journey with an incredible group of people,” he said. “Ten years ago, we set out to do certain things, and we achieved them all. It took these folks to do it.”

Observed Carl St.Clair, the orchestra’s artistic director: “I’m going to miss his energy and enthusiasm. Around Lou, there is such a fantastically positive aura that everyone thrives.”