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"To Sing a Song" (PDF)
Article by
Jane Foster, Philadelphia Music Makers magazine (Spring 2005)
"To the Mart of Dreams" (PDF)
Compact Disc Review (2005)
 
Jane Foster - Soprano biographical sketch
Jane Foster, soprano, is an accomplished soloist, presenting recitals at Carnegie Hall and recently performing the Wesendonk Lieder as a guest artist with the One World Symphony in New York. She has appeared numerous times on the opera stage throughout Germany and the Czech Republic, singing such roles as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, and the Countess in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. She is an award winning licensed architect giving generously of her time to numerous non-profit and historical preservation organizations.

Die Sopranistin Jane Foster ist eine versierte Solistin. Sie präsentiert Liederabende in der Carnegie Hall und hat erst kürzlich als Gastsängerin der One World Symphony in New York die Wesendonck-Lieder vorgetragen. In Deutschland und in der Tschechischen Republik stand sie bereits in Verdi’s Rigoletto als Gilda und in Mozarts Die Hochzeit des Figaro als Gräfin auf der Opernbühne. Jane ist eine preisgekrönte Architektin und stellt ihre Dienste häufig zahlreichen gemeinnützigen und Denkmalpflege-Organisationen zur Verfügung.

interviews
JANE FOSTER ON CHAUTAUQUA'S ARCHITECTURE AND PUBLIC SPACES
"Chautauqua’s parks provide space for community conversation, play"
John Ford, The Chautauquan Daily (August 25, 2012)
Go to full interview here.

"Jane Foster reveals thinking behind some of Institution’s most beloved shared spaces in Chautauqua Architectural Digest"
John Ford, The Chautauquan Daily (Weekend Edition, July 7 & 8, 2012)
View article (PDF)

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SELESIAN THEATER, OPAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC
"I Grew Up with Gospel Music"
Verdi's opera Rigoletto was performed at the Slezke Theater in Opava on January 27 and 29 with a uniquely international cast. The role of Gilda was sung by the American guest singer Jane Foster, who became acquainted with Opava last year through conductor's course for which she had been recommended. This was the first performance of this role on stage for the singer from Philadelphia who currently performs in Germany and Switzerland. Jane Foster finds the interpretation of Gilda fascinating because she sees it as a symbol of hope and innocence, a character who is experiencing the transition from being a girl to becoming a woman, as well as the emotional transition from ties to her father to love for the duke. In her opinion, the beauty of interpreting Gilda lies in the fact that the audience should not recognize the character's development in the very first scene. The day before the performance, we asked about other dreams she has in relation to singing and about the musical environment in which she had grown up.
HK What role would you still like to sing?
JF "I have already sung Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata and Mimi in La Boheme by Puccini. I would like to sing these roles again."
HK As an American, were you influenced by Negro spirituals?
"I was born in the South, in Georgia. Gospel music is very popular there and has a long tradition. I grew up in a religious family, we went to church where spirituals were an integral part."
HK What difference is there between the European and American opera schools?
"Both schools work with the same repertoire, but there are significant differences in the vocal technique and acting. I work in a different way, but don't ask me to go into detail."
—Hana Kvalcakova , Region (Czech Republic)
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SOUTH PHILLY REVIEW
"A Singer with Structure"
Using faith and dedication as bedrocks, Jane Foster has built careers as an opera singer and an architect.

You could say that Jane Foster is quite a designing woman. She's creative in more ways than one—she's an accomplished opera singer and a noted architect. Once she discovered the stage, she always wanted to be on it. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she needed to follow her dream. At the same time, she wanted to express her creativity through architecture and was certain that would pay the bills.

"It's challenging at times," Foster admits, "to wear two hats, especially when I have to make a quick transition from one to another...But opera and architecture are actually quite similar," explains Foster, who lives on East Passyunk Avenue. "Both are very creative, and both demand a lot of dedication."

Growing up in Georgia, Foster says she didn't hear a lot of opera in her house. It wasn't until she was a student at Georgia Tech, when she volunteered to be an usher for an opera performance, that she became enthralled by the music.

"That's when I knew that's what I wanted to do," she remembers. "I think that opera is the ultimate expression of singing. It's just the height of what music and singing should be."

When she is not singing or designing, Foster enjoys kicking back and spending time with her husband. She's an avid reader. She even finds time for sewing, and has made some of her own costumes.

When she looks to the future, Foster says she just wants to keep singing "as much as I can...I think somehow the universe gives you what you need at the time you need it. I'm glad to be where I am."
— Dina Sivaro-McCaffery, South Philly Review
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honors and awards
JANE FOSTER DAY
April 8, 1998 – Rockdale County, GA

By the Board of Commissioners
A Proclamation
Whereas: Jane Foster is a native of Rockdale County, Georgia; and
Whereas: Ms. Foster is a graduate of Rockdale County High School where she was an outstanding drama student; and
Whereas: Ms. Foster represented Rockdale County High School in State Vocal Competitions, and played clarinet in the Rockdale County High School and All-State Bands; and
Whereas: Since that time, Ms. Foster has delighted audiences worldwide in numerous operas; and
Whereas: Her many honors and immense popularity have brought prestige and special recognition to the people of Rockdale County; now
Therefore: I, Norman Wheeler, Chairman of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim April 6, 1998 as
Jane Foster Day
In Rockdale county in special Recognition of this multi-talented lyric-coloratura soprano and her wonderful family who called our community home for many years.
In Witness Whereof; I have hereunto set my hand and cause to official seal of Rockdale County to be affixed this 29th day of June 1998.
—Norman Wheeler, Chairman of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners
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