Utah Opera will expand its mainstage productions from three to four next season, including its first-ever presentation of a Wagner opera, its first mainstage production of a Benjamin Britten opera and new productions of Bizet's "Carmen" and Mozart's "Don Giovanni."

The 1996-97 season, the company's 19th, begins Oct. 19-27 at the Capitol Theatre with "Carmen," featuring mezzo-soprano Adria Firestone, last here in 1994's "Aida," in the title role. Others in the cast include Michael Myers as Don Jose and Grant Youngblood as Escamillo. The production will be staged by Utah Opera general director Anne Ewers.Wagner's "Der fliegende Hollaender" - "The Flying Dutchman" - takes the stage Jan. 18-26, with Greer Grimsley, last here in 1995's "Salome," as the Dutchman and Kurt Link as Daland. Albert Takazauckas will direct, with Matthias Kuntzsch conducting the Utah Symphony.

Britten's "The Turn of the Screw" will play March 8-16, with Lauren Flanigan as the governess and Robert Breault as the ghost Peter Quint in this adaptation of the Henry James story. Pamela Berlin will direct, with Terence Kern conducting.

"Don Giovanni" will round out the season May 17-25, with Jee Hyun Lim as Donna Elvira and Julie Wright as Zerlina. Johnathon Pappe will direct and Ward Holmquist will conduct.

Season renewal for current subscribers begins in May, with new subscriptions available in late June. Season subscriptions reached an all-time high of 86 percent for 1995-96, with all productions ultimately sold out.

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