grammar - How does one use the "[V ます stem] に [Vタ]" pattern (as in 待ちに待った)?

Every now and then I hear 待ちに待った, as in:

待ちに待ったライブ a long-awaited concert

I started wondering if this pattern can apply to other verbs, and it certainly seems to, if Google is any indication. I found instances of 望みに望んだ, 祈りに祈った, and even things like 飲みに飲んだ.

Question A: Can I use this pattern with any verb showing intent? Is there a particular nuance behind it, or does it simply mean "to [verb] and then [verb] some more"?

Question B: For the linguists in the room (y'all know who you are), how is the に classified in this pattern? Is it the same に as in 買いに行く?

Answer

It seems to just be for emphasis, as this sort of "emphasis-repetition" is common in other languages as well. I've only heard it a handful of times, in regards to foods:

のど渇きに渇いています　→　I am extremely thirsty
お腹すきにすいた　→　I was really hungry

Question A: Not sure of any nuances of it or in which situations it is appropriate (either grammatically or otherwise).

Question B: Seems to be the same に. As talked about in this post, this form (X連用形＋に＋Y) means "do Y for the purpose of X"; 'Go' for the purpose of 'buying', etc. So this would seem to be in line with the emphasis; 'wait for the purpose of waiting', 'hope for the purpose of hoping', etc.