Historic theaters, Renaissance palaces, classical music festivals and open-air piano concerts, classical music concert dates in Milan are numerous. The city plays a leading role not only in the urban sphere but also in the classical music scene, with countless classical events taking place throughout the year, giving those seeking the delicacy of classical music a break amidst house and techno.
Classical music began to develop in Milan as early as the Middle Ages, although it was with the opening of the Teatro alla Scala in 1778 that the city quickly became one of the temples of classical music and opera in Europe. Later, important composers such as Verdi and Rossini began to write and present their works in the Lombard capital, until in 1808 the Milan Conservatory was founded, which is still dedicated to training talented musicians today. From Teatro alla Scala to Piano City, 2025 promises to be a year with must-see events for lovers of the classical genre.
The best historic buildings where to listen to classical music in Milan
Giuseppe Verdi Rest Home
At the Verdi Rest Home, music is in the air, in the walls, in the name: everything here is a tribute to the great Italian musical tradition. Founded in 1899 at the behest of Giuseppe Verdi himself , the facility is a neo-Gothic masterpiece created by architect Camillo Boito, brother of the famous musician Arrigo Boito. The Casa di Riposo Verdi was established with the intention of offering hospitality to singers, musicians and artists who have reached the age of 65 and have dedicated their lives to music, but are in financial difficulty or without family.
Today, the home also hosts deserving music students from the most prestigious academies in Milan, thus fostering the meeting of musical generations. Of course, concerts are regularly held at the Verdi Rest Home, both some more intimate and reserved and prestigious prizes such as the Dragoni Prize 2025 review, which includes chamber music concerts, piano recitals, performances of wind instruments, violin, cello, guitar and opera singing, with professional artists and young talents, which can be attended with mandatory reservations.
Cardinal Ildefonso Schuster House
Located in the heart of Milan, the Casa Cardinale Ildefonso Schuster stands out in all its splendor hiding a magnificent cloister and evocative candlelight concerts. The complex is a historic 16th-century building known for its Bramante-esque cloisters, commissioned by the Trivulzio family and restored over time by prominent architects.
From an important religious building to an atmospheric concert venue, Candlelight musical tributes are staged inside. Concerts are held in the Salone Pio XII, carved out of one of the cloisters. Here, musicians and the audience are surrounded by a continuous Renaissance-style portico, which during the concerts is illuminated by the light of a thousand or more candles, while classical interpretations of the best pop and rock songs resound in the air.
La Scala Theater in Milan
The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, known simply as “La Scala,” is one of the most famous and prestigious opera houses in the world. Built at the behest of Maria Theresa of Austria and designed by neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini, La Scala stands on the ashes of the Teatro Ducale, which was completely destroyed in a fire in 1776. Its stage was inaugurated on August 3, 1778, with Antonio Salieri’s opera l’Europa Riconosciuta, and since then it has hosted the greatest artists of opera, ballet and classical music internationally.
The most anticipated event is undoubtedly La Scala’s premiere, which takes place every year on December 7, the day of St. Ambrose, patron saint of Milan; the opening night is attended by the highest offices of state, including the President of the Republic. Other highlights of the season include October 7 with Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi and November 5 with Così fan tutte by Mozart.
The must-see appointments with the orchestras of Milan.
La Scala Philharmonic
We remain in Milan’s prestigious theater, but this time to talk about the La Scala Philharmonic. An independently formed orchestra created under Claudio Abbado, it often performs at the theater, where it has its season, which in 2025 begins on Nov. 17, where Daniel Barenboim conducts Beethoven and bringing to the stage the Violin Concerto in D major op. 61 with soloist Lisa Batiashvili and Symphony No. 5 in C minor op. 67.
Other not-to-be-missed dates include the Oct. 18, 2025 concert where Riccardo Chailly conducts A Survivor from Warsaw and the special concert on Oct. 28 and 30, 2026 where, again Riccardo Chailly conducts Verdi’s famous Messa da Requiem.
Milan Symphony Orchestra
TheMilan Symphony Orchestra is one of Italy’s leading musical institutions, based at the Fondazione Cariplo Auditorium. Since September 2025, the music director has been Emmanuel Tjeknavorian. The 2025/2026 season of the Milan Symphony Orchestra offers outstanding appointments.
Not to be missed are Verdi’s Requiem conducted by Tjeknavorian on Nov. 14-16, 2025, Händel’s Messiah with Fabio Biondi on Dec. 12 and 14, 2025, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for the New Year’s period. The program also includes Christmas concerts, matinees and collaborations with internationally renowned soloists, confirming the orchestra as one of the leading players in Milan’s classical music scene.
I Pomeriggi Musicali
I Pomeriggi Musicali is an Italian symphony orchestra based in Milan, founded in 1945 in the period immediately following World War II. The orchestra was the brainchild of theater impresario Remigio Paone and music critic Ferdinando Ballo, with the aim of creating a formation that would combine the classical chamber repertoire with a strong vocation toward contemporary and avant-garde music
The 2025/2026 season of I Pomeriggi Musicali takes place at Milan’s Teatro Dal Verme and represents the 81st edition of the historic symphony festival. Appointments not to be missed include Mozart’s Requiem conducted by Diego Fasolis, on stage October 8, 2025, and the continuation of the Mozart cycle with Alexander Lonquich and Louis Lortie on stage October 9-11, 2025.
The best classical music events in Milan
Piano City Milan
Piano City Milano is one of the most important Italian music festivals dedicated to the piano. Born in 2011 on the initiative of Ludovico Einaudi, the festival takes place every spring and transforms the city of Milan into a real stage for three days, with pianists and pianos scattered throughout the city.
Piano City Milano involves theaters, squares, gardens, museums and even private homes. One of the goals of piano city is to bring accessible music to everyone in Lombardy’s capital city. For this reason, all concerts are free and free admission subject to availability, with some exceptions that require reservations through the official website
Evenings of Enchantment
The Serate d’Incanto on the Duomo in Milan is one of the most evocative experiences of the Milanese summer. It is a series of live classical music concerts held at sunset on the terraces of the Duomo, offering spectacular views of the city and the spires of the cathedral. Concerts are held from June through September, and the program includes concerts for violas, violins, piano, clarinet and many other instruments.
Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight concerts in Milan light up the city’s most striking locations. These luminous concerts, are live musical events characterized by an intimate and evocative atmosphere, thanks to the presence of thousands of candles, the only source of light throughout the evening. The repertoire ranges from classical music, such as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, to tributes to great contemporary composers such as Ennio Morricone, to evenings dedicated to the music of pop and rock stars such as Coldplay and Metallica.
Ensembles range from solo piano to string quartet. Each concert is designed to rediscover masterpieces of music of all genres in a new light while giving the audience unique and unforgettable emotions.