A Sound Obsession

About the Book

For more than half a century, David E. Lapin has been a devoted observer of the Metropolitan Opera, experiencing its triumphs, controversies and artistic transformations from the perspective of an audience veteran.
A Sound Obsession is both a personal memoir and a record of operatic life at the highest level. Lapin offers vivid recollections of legendary singers, conductors and productions, along with thoughtful reflections on how performance styles, vocal standards and staging have evolved over time.
With the insight of a seasoned listener and the passion of a lifelong enthusiast, he captures what keeps audiences returning night after night: the thrill of great voices, the drama of live performance, and the enduring power of music to shape a life.
This book will resonate with opera lovers, cultural observers and anyone drawn to the intensity and beauty of the performing arts and the human voice.

About the Author

Author and memoirist, arts educator and cultural leader, David E. Lapin was born in New York City. From 1983 until 2017, he headed Community Music Center of Boston. He has served on the boards of the Boston Center for the Arts, the Harvard Musical Association, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Lapin holds a doctorate in political science from Yale University, and—when he isn’t at the Met—spends most of the year in Boston and Miami Beach. His previous memoirs are The Education of Brainiac (2019) and Training for Life (2023).