It's a mind-busting kind of thing

Child from Villiers School

While purists might find the collaboration hard to imagine, the children, who are mostly Asian, are enthusiastic about the Puccini project.

Preconceptions

Turandot tells the story of a man-hating Chinese princess who beheads various suitors before finding true love.

The title role is considered one of the most challenging of the Italian soprano repertoire - one that requires an exceptional voice.

One child who plays the princess in the new production was undaunted by this.

"Its such an unbelievable feeling, she's such a woman," she said.

"She can't give up her love, she has to have it and she feels that she deserves it."

Amid their own rehearsals, the children visited a dress rehearsal of a traditional production of Turandot at Covent Garden.

The Bollywood Turandot in rehearsal in Southall

Their response will have pleased the Royal Opera House, which is trying to challenge preconceptions that opera is inaccessible and stuck in the past.

"It's a mind-busting kind of thing," was one comment.

Afterwards the children met the stars from the opera and asked questions about the performance.

The Bollywood Turandot will be performed in April.