Canadian tenor Ben Heppner first appeared in Seattle as Walther von Stolzing in the company's only production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in the summer of 1989. Heppner would go on to sing memorable Lohengrins, Andrea Cheniers, and Tristans for the company. Roger Roloff, Julian Patrick, Helen Donath, Gabor Andrasy, James Hoback, and Brigitta Svendén also starred.

In this passage from Act Three Scene One, Walther finally figures out how to sing his "Prize Song," improvising the final verse to murmurs of approval from Hans Sachs (Roger Roloff) and a mutely adoring Eva. Hermann Michael conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera.