By Carolina de la Cajiga
Fortune follows dedication...
At the tender age of four, Angelita, Morganna's preschool teacher, discovered her musical talents. At eight, soprano Regina Reyes selected her as solo singer of "Los peces en el río" (The Fish in the River, a classical Spanish Christmas song) for her school concert. "Although I already imagined myself singing Pop, my father, who loves opera, took me to Celaya's Conservatory of Music; they sang Allegri's 'Miserere.' I felt the music filling my body and soul; immediately, I knew singing would be what I’d do for the rest of my life. At 20, renowned Mexican-Italian teacher and soprano Eugenia Sutti took me on as a student.”
Morganna entered the National Conservatory of Music, Mexico City, at 21. Soon, she began singing professionally. She was a finalist in Carlo Morelli's National Singing Competition at Bellas Artes in Mexico City. "I felt blessed; I won a scholarship that gave me a monthly check to continue my studies."
Nevertheless, the beginning of her career was complicated. Plus, estrangement from her family was painful, and she felt lonely. Morgana decided to sing on buses to earn some money. Unfortunately, riders expecting popular music, not opera, gave her nothing. It didn't help Morganna was transitioning, looking like a boy while singing like a girl. Nonetheless, her perseverance prevailed; she quickly learned popular ballads––her beautifully trained voice won the bus riders' hearts, and she began receiving applause and coins.
Morganna says, "I also learned electronic, rock, Mexican music, and composition. In opera, I'm fascinated by Donizetti's 'Elixir of Love,' and the arias 'Chi il bel sogno di Doretta' and 'Ebben, ne andrò lontana.' I hope one day to present the Queen of the Night in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'; although I doubt it as the F-sharp is hard for me," Morganna comments with a tweak in her eye.
Other people who have been fundamental in her professional life are David Romo, her best friend and manager; Roshell Terranova, who introduced her to the world of cabaret; famous actor and instructor Alejandro Bracho, who taught her acting; and Lalo Garza, who tutored dubbing. Lila Downs invited her to participate in her song "Ser Paloma."
Though Morganna believes she's lucky to have worked with these top-of-the-line people, reality points to her talent and dedication, which opened the doors for her. "I'd love to meet Ariana Grande; as fortune has been on my side, I'm waiting…"
"As a Gemini, duality is natural to me. I live between the yin and the yang; light and dark keep me in balance." Morganna declares with a flirtatious smile, "My heart beats stronger when I play the role of a character who sings. I become whole."
Throughout her life, Morganna has balanced her obligations with fun. "My motto is, 'Work hard first to have fun.' I love going out dancing, watching movies, ice skating, swimming, and reading, but most of all, I continue studying to prepare for the next step. What saddens me is we continue to have war conflicts instead of searching for peace."
The lessons and hurdles she went through to get to where she is now shaped Morganna Love's philosophy, "I don't believe in failure. Although there are lessons I don't like, I understand the importance of continuing to strive without hurting others."
Because of the hardships she has experienced, Morgana is now planning a foundation supporting lyric-singing students.
"Being born in San Miguel Allende shaped my life. It filled my soul and mind with ideals of peace, beauty, freedom, and honest work. Although I have sung in Bellas Artes and the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, I am most proud of having sung at the Angela Peralta Theater, Bellas Artes auditorium, the Jardín, the bullring, Benito Juárez Park, the Parroquia, San Francisco, and in the Monjas church", says Morgana with a big smile, "All over San Miguel! I love singing in my homeland."
Morganna is now focused on her exam at the National Conservatory to get her degree. "I am planning a spectacular concert where I'll sing arias in German, Spanish, French, English, Italian, and Latin. In addition, this January 30, the movie 'Lluvia' (Rain), in which I act, will be released in theaters. It's a film where six stories converge and unfold one night under the rain. The characters are ordinary people in extraordinary situations and unexpected outcomes. I invite you to check it out!"
You can follow Morganna Love at morganna.love.mexico@gmail.com. Facebook: Morganna Love Instagram: @morgannalove
Threads: @morgannaloveX: @Morganna_Love
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