"The Bells of Santa Ynez," a popular musical portrait of the Santa Ynez Valley in early mission days, will be performed after a 15-year hiatus at Old Mission Santa Inés Sept. 17 and 18 (7:30 p.m.) in conjunction with the Mission's Bicentennial Weekend.

Written by the late songwriter Paul Weston (a former Mission Santa Inés parishioner), the musical production describes the early days of Santa Ynez and mission life. This year's "Bells of Santa Ynez" is a community production including many Valley performers.

It was first staged in 1963 at Old Mission Santa Inés, when Weston and his wife, singer Jo Stafford, owned a summer residence in the Valley. Weston, a member of Mission Santa Inés church, was so moved by the beauty of the Mission and the Santa Ynez Valley that he was compelled to write a score that paid tribute to mission life in the 1820s, a life punctuated by songs for most daily activity.

Robert Raleigh, music educator and longtime Solvang resident who directed the first "Bells of Santa Ynez" in 1963, will direct the 2004 production, assisted by noted composer-arranger Bill Brendle.

"This lovely musical is for the whole community to enjoy, and the Old Mission is honored to present it," said Capuchin Father Michael Mahoney, pastor of Mission Santa Inés, who has worked closely with Raleigh and community performers in planning and reviving the "Bells" program.

Tickets to the "Bells of Santa Ynez" performance are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Call the Mission Office, (805) 688-4815, for more information.