Podcast of Author Vincent "Chip" LoCoco

Host Vincent LoCoco, author of the novel, Saving the Music, which was just named as a Finalist for Historical Fiction in the International Book Awards, interviews historian and scholar Ronald J. Rychlak on Pope Pius XII and his role during the War.
A very hot topic with the opening of the Vatican Secret Archives in March of 2020 and seemingly new articles and books being published monthly critical of the late Pope with catchy headlines such as "bombshell" or "new evidence."
With his legal mind, Ron lays out the case in support of Pope Pius XII with facts and through the words of Jewish leaders who were contemporaries with the Pope, newspaper articles from that time, and the words of the leaders of the Third Reich who responded to the pronouncements and actions of Pope Pius.
The interview is a fascinating look back on a very important topic.

Bryan Hymel is an internationally acclaimed opera tenor. His voice has taken him from his hometown of New Orleans to some of the greatest opera houses around the world, such as La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico, and the Vienna State Opera, to name just a few.
Host Vincent LoCoco, an Italian Historical Fiction writer from New Orleans as well, discusses with Mr. Hymel his career, including his rapid rise in the business when he replaced an ailing tenor in the difficult role of Les Troyens at Covent Garden, which ultimately led to a last minute request by the Metropolitan Opera for Mr. Hymel to replace a tenor in their performance of the same opera, thus making the way for his spectacular Met debut.
Mr. Hymel also provides insights on a career in opera, and discusses the composers and singers who have influenced him throughout his career.
And as a special treat, Mr. Hymel provides a wonderful example how an opera is developed. He takes one small part of the story from Mr. LoCoco’s novel, Tempesta’s Dream, and, with words written by Mr. LoCoco, turns a brief scene into an aria. In the story, Isabella tells the young singer, Giovanni Tempesta, her dream to teach children one day. Bryan takes that simple scene, and makes it into a full blown aria. “It is like painting on a canvas of silence,” is how Mr. Hymel describes the process. We are then given the chance to hear his wife, Irini Kyriakidou, sing for us, “Isabella’s aria,” with Bryan playing the music on a piano. The listener will come away with a better understanding of how music can enhance the story and bring the story to life. And that is what opera does.
Here are the words to “Isabella’s Aria”:
Well, there’s not so much to tell. I am an only child. I live with my father and stepmother. He’s so protective of me. I hope to teach children one day. I want to support a child’s dreams. If they don’t have love at home, I want to show them love. Someone who cares about them. I never saw a true love between a man and a woman. Not even between father and daughter. I want to see the carefree happiness of childhood in their eyes, the security of being loved. These are the things I longed for as a child. I came to believe that real, true, deep expressions of love happen only in a fairytale. But you and your music, have brought to life my fairytale. You have done what I hope to do for children. I really have nothing else to say.

In Part 2 of his Writing Series, host Vincent LoCoco discusses the three key elements of Story Development for authors to consider: Inspiration, Setting and Plot.
Story Development is how an author not only finds the story to tell, but how does the author take that idea and make it into a story.
Vincent LoCoco, an Historical Fiction writer, provides insights from his own writing journey as to how an author can best develop that story to tell.

Host and Historical Fiction writer, Vincent LoCoco, interviews Brian Morgan on the life and career of Norman Treigle, a bass-baritone from New Orleans. Brian is the author of Strange Child of Chaos, the definitive book on this great singer.
Listen in as Brian explains what made Norman perhaps the greatest singer to ever come from the City of New Orleans. How the New York City Opera became the home where his career thrived. We also get an inside look at the performers and conductors he personally interviewed on their reminisces of Mr. Treigle.
An enjoyable episode on one of the most fascinating singers in opera history.

In Part 1 of his Writing Series, Vincent LoCoco looks at Worldbuilding in Historical Fiction, which is one of the key elements to master in this genre of writing. Listen as Mr. LoCoco, an Italian Historical Fiction writer, gives insights and techniques for aspiring writers who want to delve into story writing that fits the genre of Historical Fiction.
We hope these author tips will provide useful information for you and that you gain some ideas for your writing career.