For the past decade, Opera Holland Park (OHP) has been bringing opera to new audiences, making converts of those who thought the genre was exclusively for black-tie wearing champagne-quaffers.

An inclusive approach, in no small part down to the company’s producer James Clutton, has been key to their ascent. More than 1,000 tickets are given away free to nine to 18-year-olds each season, performance passes are discounted for council workers and their families and last year’s Fantastic Mr Fox, an opera for kids with tickets for just £2.50, earned them a new generation of fans.

Now, in a first for the Kensington-based company, OHP is collaborating with students from Chickenshed to create a new aria, to be debuted this month.

I meet James in a rehearsal room at Chickenshed’s impressive complex in Southgate. An enthusiastic score of the centre’s foundation degree students are pitching in ideas, testing melodies and trying out lyrics with two of OHP’s singers. Only one student had listened to opera before, but that doesn’t matter, says James.

“I wasn’t born into a classical family at all. I think it probably does help in what I do that I wasn’t really exposed to opera until I was well into my 20s.“

The “ordinary working class“, Tottenham-born James was raised on Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and Ella Fitzgerald.

“But people are more aware of opera then they think, they hear it on adverts and in films. They might not know what it’s called but they’ll recognise it.

“Here we are not only bringing opera to youngsters who haven’t tried it before but also showing them that it’s not all about being a singer or popstar. They’re learning about composition and another route into music.“

Our conversation pauses to listen to the group run through their composition so far. A rousing opening moves into a more mellow verse.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,“ whispers James, who lives in Palmers Green. “It’s new to us but it’s such a great, local cause.“

It will be the newest composition OHP has ever performed – by 12 years.

“To see the look on their faces as this song comes along is amazing,“ says associate producer Sarah Crabtree. “They are seeing their ideas being turned into an original song they can sing.“

Soon the composition is complete and after a final run-through, OHP has another 20 converts under its belt.

“I would listen to opera again. I’m more into RnB but I will certainly explore it more,“ says student Marvin Chambers, 24. “I think you have to have a wide range of influences – it’s something I’d like to use in my music. It’s been great.“

The outdoor event will feature leading singers including Sean Ruane (tenor), Stephanie Bodsworth (soprano) and Patricia Orr (mezzo). They will be conducted by Stuart Stratford. Along with the new work, expect popular opera arias including; Nessun Dorma (Turandot), Flower Duet (Lakmé) and Toreador Song (Carmen).

Opera Holland Park is at Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate on June 12 at 5pm to 7pm. Details: 020 8292 9222