Choose a date to see seats and prices

See All Events

2027

March

Mon
22 Mar 2027

Wed
24 Mar 2027

Thu
25 Mar 2027
Venue

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney

Language

Performed in English with surtitles.

Running time

Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval.

Book a multi-show package and save up to 20%*

Combine this production with one or more shows in the 2027 Season and become a Season Subscriber. You’ll unlock a ticket discount, priority booking, and free ticket exchanges, among other exclusive benefits.

Subscribe now

Stories in the trees. Weave them out of bark and leaves.

There are more than 800 species of Eucalyptus in Australia. There is only one Ellen Holland.

Ellen’s beauty is famous for miles around. Her overprotective father has created a safe place to protect her from the world: a forest of Eucalypts. Eucalyptus australiana, Eucalyptus marginata, Eucalyptus maidenii … lovingly planted, staked, tied. But is the forest a sanctuary or is Ellen imprisoned?

Eucalyptus is an ageless story of love and longing about a daughter and a father.

Unable to bear the thought of losing Ellen, her father announces a competition. He sets an impossible task: only a man who can name all the trees on his land may marry his daughter.

As suitors cross the world to try their luck, Ellen encounters a stranger amongst her father’s trees: a storyteller with enchanting tales of faraway lands.

Sir Jonathan Mills and Meredith Oakes’ new opera, based on Murray Bail’s beloved novel, has played to rave reviews in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Now it’s Sydney’s turn.

Renowned Australian playwright and director Michael Gow directs this deeply moving production, with designs by Simone Romaniuk. Desiree Frahn, Simon Meadows and Samuel Dundas reprise their roles along with Michael Petruccelli, who won a Green Room Award for his portrayal of ‘The Stranger’.

“What a performance! ★★★★”

The Age

Cast & Creative

Composer
Sir Jonathan Mills
Librettist
Meredith Oakes
After the novel by
Murray Bail
Conductor
Director
Set & Costume Designer
Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Designer
Ellen
Holland
The Stranger
Mr Cave
Sprunt Sister 1
Sprunt Sister 2

Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus

Eucalyptus - Victorian Opera (2024)

Photo: Charlie Kinross


Jonathan Mills on writing his ethereal opera, Eucalyptus

Learn how the award-winning composer created this exciting new opera, based on the beloved novel.

Find out more

Synopsis

Holland, a widower, lives with his daughter on a property in the country where he has planted every kind of eucalypt he can lay his hands on.

Read More