DESPITE ITS Japanese title and setting, The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan sends up contemporary - which is to say late Victorian - society. The Light Opera Group of the Negev (Logon) will present this perennial favorite as its 1992 production. Logon producers promise an upbeat and up-to-date

production, but turn secretive on details.

Musical director for The Mikado will be Leonti Wolf and the production will be directed by Helen Eleasari, the same team that did last year's sparkling The Yeoman of the Guard, Scuds or no Scuds. Wolf, formerly chief conductor of the

Novosibirsk opera, now lives in Haifa, where he has formed his own chamber orchestra with fellow immigrant musicians. This is Eleasari's third production for Logon.

The Beersheba-based group is entering its second decade and is inviting G&S fans

everywhere to become members. So seriously is the invitation taken that for the first time there will be open auditions for soloists. There's no pay, but Logon performs nationwide every spring, including performances in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.