A MUSICAL prodigy will be leading an all-star line-up at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms next month.

Benjamin Grosvenor, 23, one of the most sought-after young pianists in the world, will be joined by soprano Danielle de Niese, tenor Jonas Kaufmann and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, September 12.

And his performance will be screened live in his hometown outside Southend library.

Born and raised in Westcliff, Benjamin began his musical journey when his mother taught him how to play. Many will have seen him on his way up, before he went on to win the BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2004.

Benjamin, who graduated in 2012 with a first class honours degree in music from the Royal Academy of Music, is relishing his fifth appearance at the proms.

He said: “I am really looking forward to it, the last night is such a special occasion and it has a different kind of atmosphere.

“My family will be there, some friends too along with my piano teacher, it’s really difficult to get hold of tickets, but it’s nice to get support.”

Life for Benjamin continues to be very busy, he’ll be squeezing in a trip to Japan before the proms and will also be heading off to Germany, Poland and America to perform later this year.

To mark Benjamin’s proms performance, The Forum Big Screen in Elmer Square, Southend, will be putting on a free live screening of the proms.

Highlights of the Last Night will include excerpts from Shostakovich, Puccini and Strauss classics, Rodgers’ Sound of Music score and Elgar favourites.

For more information please visit: www.theforumsouthend.co.uk/events.