Youngsters from the school were chosen to take part in the production company's education programme Opera One, which introduces opera to secondary school students.

They will attend a series of workshops during the day –– sponsored by Yorkshire Bank –– giving them a taste of the work involved in bringing a large-scale production to life.

An Opera North spokesman said: "The workshops take a very hands-on, practical approach to exploring the opera, introducing the students to the plot and characters, and culminating with the students attending a performance of the opera."

They will be also given an insight into how the Verdi opera is put together and also get the chance to work alongside members of the company and attend a performance.

Says Yorkshire Bank executive, Glenn King: "We are committed to making opera accessible to as many people as possible and we work very hard with Opera North to make this programme work.

"What's particularly great is that the workshops take young people through all aspects of the production, from costume and set design right through to the plot itself, so it's really inclusive and covers a whole range of interests."