George Frideric Handel’s Messiah is one of the most celebrated choral masterpieces in classical music. In this concert performance, Martin Enger Holm appeared as the tenor soloist, performing the demanding tenor movements alongside choir, orchestra and an international cast of soloists.

Presented with Ensemble Neue Streicher and choir under the direction of Daniel Freistetter, the concert formed part of a series of sacred music performances in Austria. Handel’s masterpiece combines dramatic storytelling with moments of profound lyricism, making it one of the most frequently performed works in the concert repertoire.

Martin’s participation in Messiah added another important Baroque work to his growing concert repertoire, demonstrating both stylistic versatility and experience as an oratorio tenor.

About the work

Composed in 1741, Messiah is Handel’s best-known oratorio and remains one of the cornerstones of Western sacred music. Rather than presenting a dramatic opera, the work tells the story of Christ through biblical texts, moving from prophecy and birth to passion, resurrection and redemption.

Among its most famous movements are “Comfort Ye”, “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted”, “Thou Shalt Break Them”, and the world-famous “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The Tenor Part

The tenor solo plays a central role throughout Messiah, introducing many of the work’s key biblical narratives. The music requires clarity of diction, lyrical phrasing and expressive storytelling rather than purely virtuosic singing.

For lyric tenors, Handel’s writing offers an opportunity to combine elegant Baroque style with dramatic expression and textual interpretation.

Performers

Soprano: N. A.
Mezzo-Soprano: N. A.
Tenor: Martin Enger Holm
Bass: N. A.

Ensemble: Ensemble Neue Streicher
Choir: Stiftschor et al.
Conductor: Daniel Freistetter