About Jane Foster, soprano
Being part of her church choir in a small town outside of Atlanta, GA, Jane Foster grew up listening to Gospel music and learning to hone her vocal prowess. The experience turned singing into a passion. These fond memories inspired her to record her “Songs for Dad” EP for Father’s Day, which consists of four inspirational and patriotic songs she remembers from her childhood, and her “A Most Wonderful Christmas Present” album to spread holiday cheer.
Educational and Professional Background
An unusual background for an opera singer, Jane earned her undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
Not only is she a professional opera singer and recording artist with commercially released albums, she is also a registered architect. She works with her husband, Arthur S. Willson, in their design-build firm, Foster-Willson Company, Inc., in Philadelphia.
Singing Career
Operatic Roles
Jane made her professional operatic debut as a guest artist for the role of Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto with the Opera of the Silesian Theater in Opava, Czech Republic. She was also invited to return to the theater to play Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème. Since then, she has returned to the Czech Republic many times to perform.
Her other operatic experiences include performing as Violetta in La Traviata, the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Elsa in Lohengrin. She even became Marguerite of Gounod’s Faust for the Opera of the Hamptons in Long Island, NY. “Jane Foster interpreted this role to perfection as her beautiful soprano voice soared through the ‘Jewel Song’ aria and the final, triumphant ‘Anges pur, anges radieux’ trio.” – Dan’s Papers North Fork Long Island
Notable Operatic Performance
Amidst being given a two-day notice to join, Jane flew to Germany to take part in a tour of Carmen. Her twelve performances as Micaela in Cologne, Mannheim, and other German cities played to packed houses and received glowing reviews. Critics hailed her appealing voice and polished artistry, while audiences applauded her charm and dramatic talents.
Jane repeated her role as Micaela at the Opera of the Hamptons, where she “radiated a sweetness and innocence that was deeply affecting, with a voice that was appealing in timbre.” -The Southampton Press
Recitals
Jane made her recital debut singing French romances and melodies at the Weill Recital Hall of New York Carnegie Hall. New York critic Fred Jarvis reviewed this performance and wrote that she has a “beautiful and beautifully schooled lyric voice. The works were intensely felt and effectively projected. Ms. Foster’s sound was consistently puissant, radiant, and perfectly controlled.” Meanwhile, Leighton Kerner of the Village Voice said, “Her artistry enabled her to penetrate to the core of the song.”
Her current recitals focus on the art songs of American composer Kathleen Lockhart Manning (1890-1951). With accompanist Carla Mariani, Jane has recorded 35 of Mrs. Manning’s songs on her “To the Mart of Dreams/ Songs by Kathleen Lockhart Manning (1890-1951) Vol. 1” CD.