BAM Back to the City Concert - 8th Edition

BAM BACK TO THE CITY CONCERT – 8th Edition: Čajkovskij Without Barriers

Every year, Back to the City Concert brings thousands of people together at BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano to experience classical music in the open air. In its eighth edition, accessibility and inclusion are placed at the heart of this journey.

From 6 to 10 September, eight events will unfold across seven neighbourhoods of Milan, inviting children, families, young people and adults to discover Čajkovskij's The Sleeping Beauty through performances, workshops and participatory experiences. Together, these events form a programme designed to make classical music more accessible, more participatory and closer to everyday life.

Over the years, the Back to the City Concert has brought classical music to schools, hospitals, care homes, neighbourhood squares and communities across Milan. This year's programme continues that journey with a series of events that bring classical music closer to communities across the city, creating moments of discovery, creativity and connection. Inspired by BAM's 2026 theme "(Dis)Connections", this edition has been created with associations, artists and communities working with people with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities. Accessibility is not an addition to the programme, but the principle on which every experience of the Back to the City Concert has been designed. The aim is not simply to welcome more people, but to create opportunities for everyone to take part, contribute and share the experience.

The journey culminates on 10 September with the Back to the City Concert, performed by the internationally acclaimed ensemble Spira Mirabilis. Performing without a conductor, the musicians shape every interpretation through listening and collaboration, reflecting the same spirit of participation that runs throughout the Festival. Performed without choreography, The Sleeping Beauty invites every listener to imagine the story in their own way. Free from visual interpretation, the music leaves space for personal imagination, allowing each audience member to create their own images, emotions and memories.

The concert has been designed to welcome audiences with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities through accessible seating, dedicated reception services and a range of accessible materials, including audio description, Italian Sign Language interpretation, Easy to Read materials, visual stories and vibrating backpacks.

By bringing together nature, music and community, the Back to the City Concert offers more than an evening of classical music. It creates a shared cultural experience where everyone can find their own way to listen, participate and belong.