Highlights of the latest classical music calendar include the 118th Bach Festival of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and a performance of “Carmina Burana” by Kutztown University choral and orchestra students with the Reading Choral Society.

The “118th Bach Festival” is May 7-10 in Bethlehem.

“I am really excited to offer our second year of the Festival four-day format with most offerings all in close proximity,” says Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, adding, “We offer local history of the Lehigh Valley and world-class music.”

The Festival opens at 7 p.m. May 7, Musikfest Café, ArtsQuest Center, SteelStacks, with the Grammy Award-winning trio Time for Three performing a fusion of classical music, Americana, rock and jazz.

Returning for a second year is “Bach Choir Films from the Archives,” moderated by Bach Choir Archivist Cory Dieterly, 11 a.m. May 8, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University.

The Barnette Distinguished Scholar Lecture by Dr. Sarah Eberly, 2 p.m. May 8, Zoellner Arts Center, is about the rich interplay between J. S. Bach’s musical legacy and the early Moravian traditions.

Two “Bach Chorale Sings” will be held. The first session, 3:30 p.m. May 8, Incarnation of our Lord Church, Bethlehem, features Artists-in-Residence Synnet, vocal soloists and Bach Choir members and precedes the 4 p.m. “Bach at 4” concert.

The second session, 2 p.m. May 9, Packer Memorial Church, Lehigh University, precedes the 2:30 p.m. “Mass in B Minor, BWV 232” Part 1.

“Bach at 8,” 8 p.m. May 8, Packer Memorial Church, pairs J.S. Bach’s “Mass in A Major” with W.A. Mozart’s “Mass in C Minor.”

The Ifor Jones Memorial Chamber Music Concert,” 10:30 a.m. May 9, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center, features Synnet and Bach Festival Orchestra in J.S. Bach’s “The Musical Offering.”

The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem performs at 11:45 a.m. May 9, Lobby, Zoellner Arts Center.

The Bach Choir’s performance of J.S. Bach’s “Mass in B Minor BWV 232” is May 9, Packer Memorial Church, with Part 1 at 2:30 p.m. and Part 2 at 4:30 p.m. The sessions are available as live-streams.

“Zimmermann’s Coffeehouse,” 7 p.m. May 9, Peter Hall, Moravian University, is chamber music performed by auditioned young musicians in a café-style setting. Light refreshments are available for purchase.

“Chamber Music in the Saal,” 11 a.m. May 10, Moravian Museum, Bethlehem, features Loren Ludwig, virtuoso viola da gamba player and music researcher.

The Bethlehem Bach Festival concludes at 2:30 p.m. May 10, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks with “The Testament of Freedom,” a collaborative “America250” performance of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Allentown Band.

Guest artists include sopranos Sherezade Panthaki and Katelyn Grace Jackson, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, tenor James Reese and bass-baritone Edmund Milly.

“118th Bethlehem Bach Festival,” May 7-10; Ticket information: Bach Choir office, 440 Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem; office@bach.org; 610-866-4328 ext. 110 or 115; https://bach.org/ticket/

The Kutztown University Choir, Orchestra and Reading Choral Society present “Carmina Burana,” 7:30 p.m. May 8, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, Kutztown.

“There’s an energy which comes with Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana,’ one that transfers from the notes on the page to the voices, both vocally and instrumentally,’ says Derrick Thompson, Kutztown University Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies.

“The students are excited and there’s something about the score that taps youth,” says Peter Isaacson, KU Orchestra Director and Professor of Violin Studies, adding, “It’s rhythmical, whimsical and full of energy.”

“Carmina Burana,” written in the 13th century, is a manuscript of 254 poems which can be grouped according to theme: songs of morals and mockery, love songs, drinking and gaming songs, and two longer spiritual theater pieces.

The collection was discovered in 1803. Composer Carl Orff set 24 poems to music. The song, “O Fortuna,” is the most popular song of the cantata.

Explains Graham Bier, Reading Choral Society Music Director and conductor of the concert, “‘Carmina Burana’ is a large-scale work that resonates well with audiences and singers alike and it’s great to have KU here with such a strong music department which allows us to share this experience with our community ensemble and student ensembles.”

The concert has three soloists: soprano Olivia Prendergast, baritone Antonio Watts and countertenor Augustine Mercante.

“This is our 150th anniversary and this work is our grand finale to the celebrations,” says Bier.

Founded in 1875, the Reading Choral Society is one of America’s oldest music ensembles. The 80-voice ensemble is comprised of amateur singers. Bier has been conductor since 2015.

Kutztown University Choir, Orchestra and Reading Choral Society present “Carmina Burana, 7:30 p.m. May 8, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, 15229 Kutztown Road, Kutztown. Tickets: Box office 610-683-4092; https://Kutztown.edu.music

Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com