The Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its golden-anniversary season with a lustrous production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's enduring classic “;Le Nozze di Figaro”; (The Marriage of Figaro).

OPERA America ranks “;Le Nozze di Figaro”; as the sixth most performed opera in North America, and HOT's production reveals all the beauty, wit, and fun that keeps this among the top 10 operas of all time.

The story is based on the 1784 satirical comedy by the political revolutionary and playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. While Mozart and his librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, sought to remove much of the controversial political elements of the play, which had been banned in Vienna, they retained all the enduring human elements that speak to audiences in every generation.

The genius of the production is that the narrative works so well as a comic farce and as sociopolitical satire. When one realizes that Count Almaviva represents the established power structure, and Figaro and his bride-to-be represent the common folk struggling for their rightful place in society, the layered meanings of the plot become clear.

The subtitle for the play is “;Day of Madness”; and aptly describes the misadventures the characters endure, including enough mistaken identity, deceptions, intrigues and sexual innuendo to rival a Marx Brothers film. This production even includes a pillow fight! These hi-jinks are surrounded by one of Mozart's most bubbly and lyrical scores.

Ensemble is everything in this opera, with its progression of duets, trios, sextets and choruses seamlessly woven together with sprightly recitatives. HOT's cast has a marvelous chemistry, dare I say alchemy, with just the right mix of timing, balance, pace and proportion.

Leon Williams combines a well-burnished baritone with a polished acting style to create a lively and endearing Figaro. He is matched with the beautiful coloratura of Shawnette Sulker in the role of Susanna.

Michael Chioldi's rich, strong baritone provides a commanding presence as the lothario Count who retains his patrician sensibility despite the plots and pranks that surround him. His Countess was ably portrayed by the velvety voice of Inna Dukach. The lyricism and emotional intensity of her aria “;Dove sono i bei momenti”; in the third act captivated the audience and reminded us that “;Le Nozze di Figaro”; is no simple bedroom farce, but conveys the melancholy of spurned love as well.

Equally noteworthy is Buffy Baggot, who takes on one of opera's most famous trouser roles, Cherubino. She combines a liquid smooth mezzo-soprano with an accomplished acting ability. Her second-act canzona “;Voi che sapete che cosa e amor”; was a memorable delight. For sheer comedic flair, few can hold a candle to Victoria Livengood as Marcellina, whose powerful, nimble voice was perfectly suited to the broadly humorous role.

Local talents shone throughout the evening. In addition to Williams, a resident of Kailua, were tenor James Price as both music master Basilio and Curzi the comically stuttering judge, soprano Winnie So as Barbarina, and John Mount, whose evocation of the inebriated gardener, Antonio, enriched the good humor of the show.

The chorus was well balanced and added the classical precision demanded by Mozart's score. Conductor Ivan Torzs maintained a solid, energetic musical foundation to the action onstage. His instrumentalists communicated the play's passion and fun within the bounds of classical decorum.

The sets and costumers were appropriately grand but not opulent, providing an uncomplicated, elegant sense of time and place. HOT's “;Le Nozze di Figaro”; is the perfect golden-anniversary gift to Hawaii's opera lovers.

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Gregg Geary is head of Sinclair Library and music librarian at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he is completing his Ph.D. in musicology.