St. Mary’s Hospital offering virtual reality concerts to patients

A person plays a piano.

St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal is unveiling a virtual reality concert project for patients in collaboration with pianist Alexandra Stréliski.

The initiative aims to demonstrate the potential of musical intervention, with the ambition that it may one day become a standard in health care and beyond, the hospital explains in a press release.

The project is led by Dr. Julia Chabot, a geriatrician and former classical singer who says she has an interest in the effects of music on patients.

The goal is “to offer everyone the opportunity to experience a concert as a way to escape, refocus or simply treat themselves to a moment of beauty.”

The first virtual reality concert by Alexandra Stréliski is set for Wednesday.

Chabot says her hope is to create a catalogue of virtual reality concerts and build an evolving collection of musical experiences to allow “everyone to access music that resonates with their life experiences and needs.”

Officials say patients will use VR headsets to access the catalogues, designed to support them throughout their care journey.

Beyond the hospital, it is expected to be available to anyone seeking calmness.

The project also paves the way for a new form of cultural dissemination by promoting Quebec and Canadian artists.

Alexandra Stréliski is the first contributor.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 8, 2026.