‘Figaro’ glows in Costa Mesa

Continuing its festive 19th season, Opera Pacific is presenting what many deem Mozart’s perfect piece, “The Marriage of Figaro,” in four performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The fresh and elegant production -- though 15 years old -- comes from New Orleans Opera. In Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa, it opened Tuesday, masterfully conducted by Opera Pacific Artistic Director John DeMain, handsomely sung by an accomplished, youngish cast and with on-target comedic direction by Harry Silverstein.

The joys in this presentation are visual as well as musical. The rich and colorful costumes by Carl Friedrich Oberle give the actors extra spirit and dimension. Constantino Kritikos’ sets are lavish but appropriate, sensitively lighted by Jeff Davis. The entirety seems to glow from within, underlining the inexorable flow of the music and the untroubled continuity coming from a tightly rehearsed orchestra.

Kyle Ketelson and Sari Gruber inhabit Figaro and Susanna with laudable naturalness. Ketelson’s valet realistically threatens as an incipient revolutionary, and Gruber makes of Susanna a wise and wily heroine.

With highly promising voices perhaps one size too small for the hall, Joshua Hopkins and Ellie Dehn make a handsome pair as Count and Countess Almaviva. They undoubtedly have important careers before them (Dehn is 25). Dehn was making an unscheduled debut, substituting for the indisposed Adrienne Danrich, who in turn took over for Ana Maria Martinez during rehearsals when a broken toe sidelined Martinez. The rest of the cast sings and acts with the aplomb of veterans, which only a few of them are.

Marie Lenormand makes an irresistible and cherishable Cherubino. Katherine Ciesinski, Jamie Offenbach and Scott Scully are perfect as Marcellina, Bartolo and Basilio, respectively. Megan Monaghan stands out as a most engaging Barbarina. Remember the name.

Henri Venanzi prepared the small but excellent chorus. Kelly Kuo played the harpsichord continuo, and Keturah Stickann-Skadberg was the choreographer. All were led astutely by conductor DeMain.

The remaining performances are tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.