Eco Opera amplifies th nature from Argyll and

The sounds of nature captured by 'sonic tubes' in Argyll and Australia will be blended into an 'eco opera' to be broadcast online this summer.

This project, supported by the Australian Government and Creative Scotland, is presented by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and producers Scissor Kick.

Episode one of the series will be recorded simultaneously at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Victoria, Australia, and in the village of Balfron, Stirlingshire.

Episode two will be recorded simultaneously in the Royal Botanic Garden Benmore and the rural town of Girgarre in northern Victoria in Australia.

Episode one will premiere online on the project website, eco-opera.tv, from Monday June 13, and episode two will join the first part of Eco Opera from Friday July 1.

'The chorus of plants and animals at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is a unique and mesmerising privilege to hear,' said Chris Russell, executive director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

'Our beautiful gardens are a sanctuary to Australian flora and fauna and Eco Opera allows us to share them with the world.'

Peter Baxter, curator at Benmore Botanic Garden, part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, added: 'We have always believed it to be crucial that Benmore is a part of this important initiative.

'It describes the elemental relationship between art and nature and demonstrates the core reason for the existence of botanic gardens.

'All life as we know it is dependent on plants and fungi in order to survive, Eco Opera is