(RIVER EDGE, NJ) -- On Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 4:00pm, River Crossing Concerts presents Songs of Love and Exile featuring soprano Sun Young Chung, cellist Thapelo Masita, and pianist Slavina Zhelezova for a poignant and timely recital exploring the inner landscapes of displacement, longing, and resilience.
In a time when immigrant voices are increasingly silenced, this program honors the experiences of the displaced—from the heroic lover and the immigrant forging new paths, to the suppressed voices of women and intimate transformations. The program includes works by Schumann, Alma Mahler, Piazzolla, Jessie Montgomery, André Previn, Joy Son, and Kurt Weill.
The concert takes place at First Congregational Church is located at 109 Continental Ave (corner of Kinderkamack Road) in River Edge, New Jersey. Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation. A reception will follow the concert.
“In times of crisis, we, artists, need to show up with presence and power. This music is a form of testimony,” says Artistic Director Slavina Zhelezova, herself an immigrant from Bulgaria. “It reflects how people navigate displacement—through love, protest, memory, and resilience. Each piece gives voice where there was once silence.”
The program opens with Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe, a song cycle capturing the emotional exile of a man devastated by unrequited love. It continues with Astor Piazzolla’s Grand Tango—a fiery dance of nostalgia and connection—and Alma Mahler’s five songs, written before her marriage but only published after her husband allowed her a musical voice of her own.
The final section brings a quiet turn toward reflection and healing. Jessie Montgomery’s Peace offers a moment of introspection and acceptance, while Joy Son’s Ave Maria delivers a meditative, modern prayer. Works by André Previn and Kurt Weill close the program with gestures of transformation and resilience—celebrating the enduring spirit of those who continue to raise their voices in the face of silence.
Sun Young Chung, soprano, has performed extensively across the U.S. in both operatic and concert settings, including roles such as Mimi, Donna Elvira, and Pamina. A frequent soloist with chamber music series and festivals, she is also an advocate of new music, premiering works by composers like Helen Rasquier and JP Redmond. She holds a Master’s and Professional Studies Diploma from Mannes College of Music and currently teaches voice at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, Concordia Conservatory, and the United Nations International School.
Thapelo Masita, cellist, is a native of South Africa and a graduate of Juilliard and Eastman. He is the founder and director of the Bokamoso International Chamber Music Festival, which brings high-level music training to South African youth. A passionate educator and social advocate, he has performed and taught internationally, and collaborates regularly with the Uhuru String Quartet and artists such as Caroline Shaw. He is pursuing a DMA at CUNY Graduate Center and plays a cello on generous loan from the Virtu Foundation.
Slavina Zhelezova, pianist and Artistic Director of River Crossing Concerts, is known for curating bold, emotionally resonant programs. Her international career includes performances at the Cervantino Festival (Mexico), the Dame Myra Hess Series (Chicago), and a Centaur Records release praised by the American Record Guide. A native of Bulgaria, she holds a Doctorate and Master’s from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor’s from Mannes. She directs the music program at First Congregational Church of River Edge and serves on the faculties of the University of Mount Saint Vincent and Concordia Conservatory.
River Crossing Concerts inspire, uplift, and connect communities through the power of music. The series presents compelling programs performed by core and guest artists, encouraging social change through diverse and inclusive programming.
