A Passion for opera is a memoir of Angelo Gobbato's life-long involvement and engagement in opera. In this book made up of various forms of memories, the author traces his involvement and deep love for opera from his childhood up to when he retired from actively engaging and participating in multiple roles and activities in opera. For Gobbato, opera is in his genes: part of his DNA. It is quite interesting the way he attempts to explain where his talents and skills of opera came from. He cheekily notes that it must have come from the genes of his maternal grandfather. He muses:

Gobbato started showing his passion for music and singing when he was three years old. He was born in Italy but moved to South Africa together with his mother to join his father who had settled earlier in search of opportunities. Gobbato studied sciences at the University of Cape Town and graduated with Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. But paradoxically, though he performed very well in the sciences and was awarded a scholarship to study Chemistry at postgraduate level, he opted instead to pursue his passion: music; and more specifically opera. According to Gobbato, opera was more than just a brand of specialised vocal music but one of theatrical performance with strongly characterised physical interpretations. Gobbato pursued opera music with frenzied obsession throughout his life.