It is a marriage of music which Mozart could never have predicted.

And the results could trigger a revolt among fans of one of the most traditional art forms.

But bosses behind a leading opera company are chancing their luck and enlisting the help of urban music gurus to create the world's first hip h'opera for audiences in Sussex.

Katie Tearle, head of education at Glyndebourne, said: "This is more than an opera - this is a new way of working.

"Mozart was interested in popular art forms and if he had lived now, he would certainly be a hip hopping."

The production Hip H'opera - A School 4 Lovers borrows the storyline from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, one of the world's most popular operas, and blends it with a hip hop sensibility to create a contemporary show.

The co-production from Glyndebourne and leading operatic companies in Helsinki and Berlin opens in Lewes next March before touring Europe.

Brighton-based hip hop development agency Momi Inc is collaborating on the project, which has been described by those taking part as "neither a culture shock, nor clash, but a cultural evolution."

Ms Tearle said: "Opera lends itself to experimentation and working with other art forms is on one of the best ways of doing that.

"One of the aims is to bring more young people to the opera house but also to the arts in general.

"It is a challenging project but we need that to create something new and exciting."

The cast of hip hop artists and singers includes a British rapper, two soul singers and three professional opera vocalists.

But members of the all- important youth crew still have to be found and Glyndebourne education staff are hoping to uncover talent in Brighton and Hove.

Auditions for the youth chorus are on Saturday at Brighton and Hove Music and Performing Arts in County Oak Avenue, Brighton, from 2pm to 5pm.

Street dancers, MCs and break-dancers aged between 15 and 19 can turn up for the chance to take part.

For audition details, call 01273 293624.