Stories in the trees
Weave them out of bark and leaves

Eucalyptus is a new opera by Jonathan Mills, based on Murray Bail’s beloved novel. It is part Australian fairy tale, part sonorous evocation of the Australian bush. In this dappled landscape lurks both beauty and wonder. The score is mysterious and colourful, with moments of dramatic intensity and hushed beauty. The libretto by Meredith Oakes is poetic and spare.

Eucalyptus is an ageless story of love and longing, about a daughter and a father – Ellen and Holland.

Ellen’s overprotective father has created a safe haven from the world – a forest of eucalypts.  But is the forest a sanctuary? Or is Ellen, like Rapunzel, imprisoned?

Ellen encounters a Stranger amongst her father’s trees – a storyteller with enchanting tales of far-away lands…

Renowned Australian playwright Michael Gow directs this co-production for Victorian Opera, Opera Australia and the Perth and Brisbane Festivals, with designs by Simone Romaniuk. Desiree Frahn and Simon Meadows create the roles of Ellen and Holland, with Orchestra Victoria and the Victorian Opera Chorus conducted by Tahu Matheson.