In the heart of Back Bay, tucked between the brownstones of Commonwealth Avenue, Orpheus Performing Arts Treasures has quietly built an international reputation among classical music collectors.
Inside the narrow shop, shelves are lined with vinyl records, CDs and sheet music, creating a space that feels both historic and personal. For owner Ed Tapper, the store has always been about more than selling music. In many ways, it became an extension of the classroom.
Before focusing full time on the store, Tapper taught music history at UMass Boston and Suffolk University. He said he enjoyed introducing students to classical music and opera, especially because many had little prior experience with the genre. At Suffolk, the university even created a course specifically for him titled “History of Opera.” Tapper described the class as especially rewarding because it encouraged discussion and curiosity rather than constant grading.
“The joy I felt educating students at UMass on classical music inspired me to open a business,” Tapper said. “I wanted to supply them with the needs to explore these new materials.”
As university cutbacks and limited teaching opportunities made it difficult to continue full time instruction, Tapper shifted his attention toward the store and private lessons. Even so, he said the educational aspect of his work never disappeared. Instead of teaching in lecture halls, he now helps customers discover composers, recordings and performances from behind the counter.
“That educational aspect never really left,” he said. “Now it just happens in a retail setting.”
That philosophy has helped Orpheus remain relevant in a time dominated by streaming services and digital media. While many independent music stores struggled in recent decades, Tapper said he witnessed a steady resurgence in vinyl and physical collecting. Customers, particularly younger listeners, are increasingly drawn to the experience of owning music in a physical form. They want to flip through records, study the cover art and build collections that feel personal.
Tapper believes collecting also encourages listeners to expand their tastes. Once customers begin building collections, they often become more willing to explore unfamiliar composers and recordings. Someone who initially visits the store searching for a familiar artist may leave with an entirely different recommendation. Over time, that process deepens their appreciation for classical music.
He said the broader return of record store culture has contributed to that growth. Independent record stores have continued appearing across the country in recent years as interest in physical media steadily rises. Although Orpheus serves a niche audience focused primarily on classical music and opera, Tapper said the interest remains strong enough that he has considered expansion opportunities in the future.
“It’s a niche business,” he said. “You have to grow thoughtfully.”
Tapper also credits the store’s reputation to its experienced staff. All of the employees have worked in music retail for decades and bring extensive knowledge of classical recordings and music history to the store. Customers often rely on their recommendations while searching for rare vinyl pressings or specific performances.
That expertise has helped Orpheus develop an international following. Tapper said collectors regularly contact the store from Europe or Asia searching for hard-to-find recordings. In an era increasingly shaped by online shopping and algorithms, Orpheus continues to offer something personal that many customers still value. Conversations between staff and customers remain central to the experience of visiting the store.
For Tapper, those interactions reflect the same sense of discovery he valued while teaching. Whether helping a student understand opera history or guiding a customer toward a new composer, he continues to see music as something to be shared.
Though his classroom now looks different than it once did, Tapper’s goal remains largely unchanged. Through Orpheus, he has created a space where education and collecting continue to exist side by side.
