Her personal relationship with Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Karl Muck drew her into scandal during World War I.

[5] Muck's incriminating letters to her were part of the evidence gathered for his 1918 arrest (and subsequent deportation), and they were published in The Washington Post, with Young's name changed to "Adele Marvin".

She made English translations of opera libretti, including Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio (1942),[12] and scenes from Wagner's Die Walküre (1957).

[3] Eleanor Roosevelt mentioned Chapin in her newspaper column "My Day" in 1940, saying "I feel sure that there must be people in this country interested in her idea to promote American artists here.

"[13] Chapin produced and directed shows at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, including a 1942 all-musical program,[14] and Tristan and Isolde (1947).