Join Mental Fight Club and classical singer/music maker Lucia Vernon-Long on a gentle musical journey in which you can begin to explore the multilayered process of creating opera. Together, we will learn how it’s made, staged, and get a sense of its ability to communicate not just story but an emotional arc.

The sessions will be free flowing, light-hearted and fun. No previous experience is required, everyone is welcome!

For this first relaxed uplifting workshop, Lucia will explore some of the activities and the metaphorical ‘toolkit’ used in Streetwise Opera sessions with us. The workshop will cover breath work, look at body language, and culminate in a rousing sing of something operatic! Join us, and Lucia, for as long or as little as you like.

Lucia Vernon-Long trained as a classical singer at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and went on to sing solo roles with companies such as Northern Ireland Opera before focusing on her work in music outreach and education. She devises and leads projects for companies such as the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Opera Holland Park and the Mozartists. She works in a variety of settings, from schools and community centres, and with a range of people, including extensive work with the homeless community and children with special needs. She is an Associate Artist for Streetwise Opera. She also founded and runs Mini Music Makers; a preschool music business in Brighton and London.

Mental Fight Club is an arts and mental health charity that runs day-long creative events, free and open to all, across London.

Our events, always gently participatory, span the full spectrum of artistic practice including music, dance, painting, illustration, puppetry, animation, theatre, writing, film making, sculpture, performance, photography and so much more.

We have devised, curated, and produced events at and with the Southbank Centre, Wellcome Collection, BBC Radio 4, Tate Britain, Kings College London, the Freud Museum, the Barbican Library, the Museum of the Home, V&A and the Globe.

Together, we explore the intersection of arts and mental health and build human connection.

You can find out a little more about our work here.