Jane Foster has appeared in opera and recital in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Philadelphia, and New York, enjoying great success as Mimi (La Boheme), Gilda (Rigoletto), Violetta (La Traviata), Marguerite (Faust) and Countess Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro). Drama prevailed when, on two days notice, she flew to Germany to join a tour of Carmen. Her twelve performances as Micaela in Cologne, Mannheim, and other German cities played to full houses and glowing reviews. Critics hailed her appealing voice and polished artistry, while audiences applauded her charm and dramatic talents. Jane made her European operatic debut as Gilda in Verdi's opera Rigoletto as a guest artist with the Opera of the Silesian Theater in Opava, Czech Republic. She was invited to return to the theater as Mimi in Pucinni's La Boheme. Opera of the Hamptons in New York produced Gounod's Faust in the summer of 2002 in order to feature Jane in the role of Marguerite. In March 2003 she returned to the Czech Republic to sing an evening of Italian Opera as a guest artist of the Hradec Králové Filharmonie, Franisek Vajnar, conducting. Currently Jane is a member of the Wagner Theater Program at Mannes College of Music in New York. Under the direction of Patricia Sage, Jane is preparing the roles of Elsa (Lohengrin), Elizabeth (Tannhäuser). At home on the recital stage as well as in the opera house, Ms. Foster made her New York Recital Debut singing a program of French Romances & Mélodies in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Her current recitals focus on the Art Songs of American composer Kathleen Lockhart Manning. Jane discovered Mrs. Manning's songs while researching repertoire for a recital of American Music. Mrs. Manning's keen sense of humor and her cultural insights are a delight to share with you, my listener. Carla Mariani is an accomplished pianist who currently resides in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to her work with Jane, she has accompanied many other vocalists, instrumentalists and choir groups. She performed locally and internationally as accompanist and singer for a touring sacred music group in Germany, England and America for four years. Throughout her career, Carla has served as pianist/musical director for many theater groups, played in the Matinee Musical Club piano ensemble, worked as a church pianist and singer, and accompanied cabaret performers. Having achieved her master's degree in Piano Pedagogy, she has taught many piano students over the years. Her love of children and music also led her to teach early childhood music classes, too. Carla also enjoys accompanying future stars of Opera and Broadway in voice studios as well as in festive Italian Restaurants in South Philadelphia. Kathleen Lockhart Manning (1890-1951) was born in Hollywood, California on a ranch which is now incorporated into the property of Universal Studios. She began playing the piano and composing at age 5 and as a young woman she traveled the world pursuing her art. In 1908 she studied advanced piano & composition in Paris with Moritz Moszkowski. During the 1911-1912 season, she sang in London with the Hammerstein Opera Company. It is in her song compositions that she truly excelled, and for many of these, the texts are her own. The chameleon like nature of her compositions captures the essence of her subjects. These include the majesty of "The Thames" in Sketches of London, traffic on New York's "Fifth Avenue" in Sketches of New York, African American church music in "Prayer", orientalism in Japanese Ghost Songs and Chinese Impressions, and humor in Two Sketches of Childhood and the The Tale the Garden Told (burlesque en miniature). Expressions of her heart are shared with us in Vignettes, one of which is her poignant leave-taking of her husband in "Departed". All of these songs are distinctly American in their optimism and open hearted honesty. Mrs. Manning died in Los Angeles on March 20, 1951. Biographical Sources: New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians Los Angeles Times, March 24, 1951