Prisoners in Ireland and Italy will play an intergral part in a full-scale production of the opera "La Boheme."

Opera Ireland plans to use sets and costumes designed and constructed by the inmates in its commercial venture.

The high-security Maiano jail in Perugia, Italy has worked in partnership with Dublin's Mountjoy Prison to put the project together.

About 25 of the 500 inmates at Mountjoy have worked on designs created by their Italian counterparts.

The male prisoners did carpentry, while the female inmates made the dresses.

Opera Ireland's Conleth Teevan told Reuters, "It's an absolutely amazing project... They're all very proud of the work they're doing in Mountjoy and they're learning new skills which they can use when they leave prison."

Some of the prisoners will apply for temporary release so they can attend the opera, which will open in mid-November.

The rest of the prisoners can see the production on video.