{"title":"Vincent B Chip Lococo","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"saving-the-music-book-vincent-b-chip-lococo-9780972882477","title":"Saving the Music","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is the winter of 1942, and the world is at war. A few Jewish musicians attempt to flee the Nazi death grip, each desperately trying to navigate his own path to safety. With the courageous aid and kindness of strangers, they soon find themselves in Rome, where under the highly secret help of the Vatican, they are hidden in Bellafortuna, a small village in Sicily. The residents of Bellafortuna welcome them and care for them, and for a fleeting moment, the horrors the musicians are facing are forgotten while residing in the beautiful, idyllic landscape of Sicily. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut word soon reaches the small village that Italy has surrendered, now making Germany at war with Italy. War quickly comes to the village as the Germans storm into Sicily to repel the Allied advance. 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Chip LoCoco. It is the inspirational story of an aspiring opera singer coming of age in Milan; a tender and moving love story; a testament to the bonds of friendship; and, at its core, a tribute to the beauty, majesty and miracle of opera. Giovanni Tempesta always dreamed of becoming an opera tenor and one day singing from the stage of the La Scala Opera House in his hometown of Milan, Italy. But with no real training, his dream has little chance for fulfillment . . . One day, he meets and immediately falls in love with Isabella Monterone, a dark-haired beauty, whose father, a very rich and powerful Milanese Judge, refuses to allow his daughter to date a penniless musician . . . At the lowest part of his life, Giovanni comes upon the Casa di Riposo, a rest home for musicians established by the great opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi . . . It is at the Casa Verdi that Giovanni meets Alfredo del Monte, a blind, retired opera singer with a secretive past who gradually becomes his mentor . . . Could Alfredo be the one person who could assist Giovanni in finding the break he needs? Or is Giovanni destined to be on the cusp of reaching his life long dream, only to find failure? . . . Tempesta's Dream, at its core, is an Italian opera love story. The author tells the story simply and swiftly with an ending that is both an emotional and poignant moment of both amicizia e amore (friendship and love.) ________________________________________ An intelligent and entertaining lyrical journey . . . A rare, beautiful story with passion and opera pulsating through each page. LoCoco has woven a unique novel with exceptionally developed characters, realistic dialogue and a well-balanced narrative. -Penn Book Review The novel has enormous heart and a few times my eyes filled with tears. I was vividly involved with this young tenor, his dreams, and the wonderful old man who taught him. It is not an easy thing to convey the passion for song. However, the way the author did it, I could physically feel the young tenor singing and hear his voice. -Stephanie Cowell, Author of Marrying Mozart The story holds charm and appeal. There is beauty in the depiction of the relationship between Giovanni and Isabella, as well as in the bond between Alfredo and the young tenor. Giovanni, Isabella and Alfredo will remain in 'memoria mia' for years to come. -George Shirley, Tenor, University of Michigan Emeritus Professor of Music (Voice) Within a very moving story of romance and friendship, the author has created a realistic portrait of a young singer's pursuit of an operatic career. This lovely tale allows one to acquire an understanding of and an affection for opera. -Audrey Schuh Redmann, Soprano This novel is a thorough pleasure. -Christina Vella, Author of Intimate Enemies, The Two Worlds of Baroness de Pontalba The story surprised me and involved me. The development of the book was very intriguing and moving. -Cecilia Gobbi, founder of the Associazione Musicale Tito Gobbi, an organization devoted to preserving and celebrating the record of her famous baritone father's contribution to opera What a story  Quite possibly, the best novel about opera I have ever read. The passion of opera pulsates throughout the entire novel. 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The entire village prospers. However, after the arrival of the Vasaio family, production dwindles and the villagers soon find themselves in crushing debt to the Vasaios. Only the Sanguinetti family remains outside the control of the Vasaios, but the reason haunts Antonio Sanguinetti every day of his life, and he offers financial and emotional support to his fellow villagers. When Antonio's only son, Giuseppe, discovers his family's past, he becomes determined to take on the Vasaios and remove them from power. Led by the young Giuseppe, a plan is hatched that could result in either complete freedom for the villagers, or if it fails, forever solidify the Vasaios' control. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFind out what happens in A Song for Bellafortuna.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePRAISE\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* SHORT LIST FINALIST IN THE WILIAM FAULKNER-WILIAM WISDOM WRITING COMPETITION \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* AMAZON BESTSELING HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* LISTED AS A TOP RATED NOVEL BY AMAZON \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* NAMED A 2015 BEST READS \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e The novel has been called lyrical, intelligent, majestic, magical, powerful and compelling. Here are some advance reviews.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Vincent B. LoCoco writes a heartwarming piece of historical fiction . . . He captured the essence of the Sicilian culture, especially regarding the value of ancestry and music . . . A Song For Bellafortuna is a beautiful tale of antiquity.- Readers Favorite 5 Star Review\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The book was a joy to read. It is a wonderful story, told in a magical way.-Cavaliere Ufficiale Aldo Mancusi, President of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America in New York\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e An inspiring story of an Italian village threatened by commerce and saved by opera.-John Biguenet, author of The Torturer's Apprentice and Oyster\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe author paints a picture of the era before motorcars, when agriculture provided the most employment. One gets the feeling of the slower pace of life. Journeys take longer. 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Chip LoCoco, author of the historical fiction novels, Tempesta's Dream, A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, A Song for Bellafortuna and Saving the Music, comes Sicilian Melody, Book three in his Bellafortuna Series.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorld War II has ended, and Sicily lies in ruins. As money flows in from Italy, the black market becomes the lifeblood of the island's inhabitants. At the same time, with the defeat of Mussolini and fascism, an old nemesis re-emerges from the ashes - the Mafia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExiled during Mussolini's dictatorship, the Mafia has returned to fight for control of the black market. The Allied forces, leading the rebuilding of Sicily, turn to the former Dons and install them as mayors of the cities, towns, and villages..\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDon Adriano Umbretto, a once powerful Don in charge of Castelvetrano, finds himself in power and desperately trying to solidify his control, while trying to keep his daughter, Francesca, safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, the small, secluded village of Bellafortuna, for years unmolested  MPL1] by the Mafia, is in danger of succumbing to their power and control. 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