MUSIC

Seattle Opera plans a brand new production of Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger” for the 1989 season, said Speight Jenkins, general director of the Northwest company this week. Conducted by Hermann Michael, staged by Francois Rochaix, with sets designed by Jean-Claude Maret and lighting by Joan Sullivan, this “Meistersinger” will have Roger Roloff as Hans Sachs, Helen Donath as Eva, Ben Heppner as Walther and Julian Patrick as Beckmesser. The young Swedish mezzo-soprano, Birgitta Svenden, will make her U.S. debut as Magdalene. “Meistersinger” will replace performances of “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” which Jenkins said would recommence in 1991. “Meistersinger” will be given six performances, Aug. 3-19.