The 2012 London English Song Festival opens in May with William Blake: Metamorphosis.

William Blake was heavily influenced by the writings of Ovid and tonight Benjamin Britten’s Songs and Proverbs of William Blake and Ralph Vaughan Williams Ten Blake Songs for voice and oboe are placed alongside Britten’s Six Metamorphoses after Ovid for solo oboe.

Multiple prize-winning soprano Ruth Jenkins and acclaimed baritone Johnny Herford are joined by oboist James Turnbull, whose debut solo disc has recently been released to positive reviews.

Richard Stokes will give a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm.