Vashon Opera’s ninth season will open with the dramatic, romantic and character-driven bel canto opera “Lucia di Lammermoor” by Gaetano Donizetti at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Kay White Hall.

Soprano Jessica Milanese will portray the complicated and beloved character of Lucia and interpret the vocal gymnastics that the bel canto style presents. Milanese returns to Vashon Opera following her portrayal of Sister Constance in Vashon Opera’s production of “Dialogues of the Carmelites” and her comedic role of Miss Wordsworth in “Albert Herring.”

As the story goes, Lucia is forced by her brother, Edgardo, to marry a man she does not love to save her family’s fortune and is tricked into believing her true love, Enrico, loves her no more. This sudden change brings forth Lucia’s descent into madness as she murders her new spouse and then dies herself.

“The circumstances that bring Lucia to commit a crime of passion, lose her love, mentally disintegrate and die are all traits which she herself does not possess. Rather, the themes of revenge, ambition for power and pride are all traits that others have who surround her and unfortunately they determine her fate,” Milanese said.

Karen Baer and Rick Wallace are sponsors of this performance.

Tickets are available at vashonopera.org.