STUDENTS from a Wimborne school have brought opera to life with their "stunning" recreation of an ancient tale.

A group of 45 Queen Elizabeth's School pupils teamed up with music professionals from the Dorset Opera Festival to perform a reworking of Faust.

Students created new lyrics and compositions before singing in French accompanied by an eight-piece band.

The youngsters were put through their paces by pianist, presenter and composer Dominic Harlan, opera singer and producer Lynsey Docherty and cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp.

Lynsey said: "Creating opera with young people allows them to develop creative skills they never knew they had.

"It is abundantly clear from the resulting piece how the arts stimulate and encourage creativity, communication, cooperation, confidence and self-expression that are vital for young people as they develop into adulthood.

"Creating their own work validates their ideas, and giving them a glimpse into the behind the scenes work of opera singers, how they create sound and the professional and focussed work behind staging such an art form has been revolutionary for the students."

The project was made possible through a donation from philanthropists Margrette and John Jones given to provide inspiring musical leadership.

Those who took part will be invited to enjoy a dress rehearsal at the festival in July.

Artist director of the Dorset Opera Festival Roderick Kennedy attended the students' performance.

He said: "We were stunned with what these young people were able to achieve in just four-and-a-half days of intensive work.

"It was a most exciting and fulfilling project.

"I look forward to the possibility of taking our opera outreach programme into other schools around the county – and to having the Queen Elizabeth's School team with us at the Dorset Opera Festival in July.”

Steve Glover, director of music at the school, said: "I’m so very proud of our students, their intense creativity and commitment to the project, and I was genuinely gobsmacked by both the amount and quality of the resulting performance.

"They’ve all learned so much from Lynsey, Dominic and Matthew, and everyone here is absolutely delighted with the outcome."

For more information about the festival, visit dorsetopera.com