“Now, the majority of our clients are not in very bad economic condition, but wish to continue to play, and be involved with, music,” Mr. Ruozi said. Casa Verdi’s talented clientele have the same needs as other old people, with some exceptions, he added: “First, they need music. Second, they want to be treated not as common guests, but as special guests — as a star.” Mr. Ruozi sighed. “We have 60 old musicians and 60 stars.”

Upstairs, in an elegant sitting room, two residents waited for the lunch hour. Sitting in comfortably overstuffed red armchairs, they reflected on what they liked about living here. “We’re not missing anything,” said Angelo Loforese, a 98-year-old tenor who is currently the oldest person living at Casa Verdi. “You can get a manicure, a haircut, a shave.”

Lorenzo Saccomani, 79, nodded in agreement. Explaining that he had sung some of his first roles onstage with Mr. Loforese — who at the time was much more experienced — Mr. Saccomani said Casa Verdi felt like home. “We found some of our colleagues,” he said.

As if to illustrate Mr. Saccomani’s point, the conductor Armando Gatto, 89, came in, pushing his walker. Dressed in a wool suit and dark glasses, Mr. Gatto was greeted as “maestro” by the two singers, both of whom he conducted onstage as younger men. “It feels protected here,” said Mr. Gatto, who worked all over the world before moving to Casa Verdi with his wife, a soprano, who is now 90. “I feel respected and loved.”