Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, is an Italian Historical Fiction novel New Orleans writer, Vincent B. "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.)
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"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. Highly recommended."
-John Gehl, Opera historian and the only American collaborator on The Oxford Concise Encyclopedia of Opera
"The author's contagious love of opera and his faith in human decency sing through this loveable page-turner of a story."
-Susan Nicassio, Author of Tosca's Rome
