When we listen to music, we are inevitably overwhelmed by a sea of emotions. That music is good for the soul but also for the body is well known by the many patients in hospitals in Milan and Lombardy who, thanks to a growing number of music therapy projects and live concerts, can enjoy a few moments of distraction and relaxation. From hospices to hospital wards, in and around Milan, music becomes a resource for fighting pain and loneliness.
The benefits of music therapy: why it works
Not just a suggestion, music therapy is now recognized by the scientific community for its clinical value. In Milan, studies conducted by institutions such as the Besta Neurological Institute and the University of Milan have shown that listening to music, even through simple personalized playlists, significantly reduces pre-operative anxiety and lowers pain perception in cancer and neurological patients.
In pilot projects at Niguarda Hospital and the “Residences of the Sun” Outpatient Clinic, music therapists and neurologists have observed tangible benefits in motor rehabilitation and stress management for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and chronic disease patients. Rhythm and melody act directly on brain areas involved in emotion and pain regulation.
Concerts and music in Lombard hospitals
In recent years, music has continued to spread to hospitals in and around Milan with numerous live concerts. From March to June 2024, a number of intimate concerts, part of the “Musical Moments” cycle curated by the Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado, were staged at Hospice Virgilio Floriani and Pio Albergo Trivulzio in Milan. In 2025, on the other hand, the Milan Polyclinic joined the Piano City Milano festival, featuring piano events within the historic walls of the facility.
In the rest of Lombardy, music is also entering hospitals and nursing homes. For example, between February and April 2025, the Alessandro Manzoni Hospital in Lecco hosted the “Music in Hospitals 2025” project, which involved the Bellagio and Lake ComoOrchestra in classical concerts and special performances dedicated to cancer patients but open to all citizens.
Music in the hospital does not replace traditional therapies, but complements them by providing moments of lightness to patients when everything seems difficult. The thrill of listening to a harp or violin solo within the walls of a ward can be a relief, at least for a few moments.