Helen Sjöholm: The Voice of Swedish Musical Theatre & Pop

Helen Sjöholm is a celebrated Swedish singer and actress whose powerful voice has defined major stage musicals and a successful solo career. Hailing from Sundsvall, Sweden, she achieved national fame through her starring role in the hit musical "Kristina från Duvemåla" and her platinum-selling album "Visor".

Early career

Born in 1970, Helen Sjöholm's professional journey began in the late 1980s with the pop group Charta 77. Her theatrical breakthrough came in 1995 when composer Benny Andersson and lyricist Björn Ulvaeus cast her in their epic musical "Kristina från Duvemåla". This role immediately established her as a formidable talent within the Swedish music and theatre scene.

Breakthrough

Sjöholm's portrayal of the title character in "Kristina från Duvemåla" from 1995 to 1999 was her definitive breakthrough. The original cast recording, released in 1996, achieved massive success, selling over 700,000 copies and earning multiple platinum certifications in Sweden. This cemented her status as a leading musical theatre performer.

Key tracks

Du måste finnas — This soaring ballad from "Kristina från Duvemåla" remains her signature stage song, showcasing her dramatic vocal range and emotional depth.

Gabriellas sång — Her performance of this piece from the 2004 film "As It Is in Heaven" became a nationwide hit, winning a Swedish Grammis for Song of the Year.

Allt som är — A key track from her 2017 solo album "När jag kastar loss", this song exemplifies her mature, folk-inflected pop style and songwriting collaboration with guitarist and composer Mikael Nilsson.

Vem vet — This duet with Tommy Körberg, featured in the 2008 musical "Chess", highlights her mastery of theatrical duets and her chemistry with fellow Swedish music legends.

En stund på jorden — The title track from her 2009 solo album, a collection of interpretations, which went straight to number one on the Swedish albums chart.

Her solo career took off with the 2001 album "Visor", which went platinum. She has since released several critically acclaimed albums, including "En stund på jorden" (2009) and "När jag kastar loss" (2017), often blending folk, pop, and jazz influences. Sjöholm continues to collaborate widely, working with artists like Benny Andersson, Peter Jöback, and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fans of Helen Sjöholm's blend of theatrical grandeur and Scandinavian folk-pop often appreciate the work of Lisa Ekdahl for her intimate jazz-inflected vocal style. Marie Fredriksson shares a similar powerful vocal presence and successful crossover from pop to solo artistry. Peter Jöback is a natural parallel as a fellow Swedish musical theatre star with a strong pop career. Jenny Wilson offers a more avant-garde take on the Swedish singer-songwriter tradition.

Helen Sjöholm's rich catalog is a staple on our featured radio stations, including dedicated Scandinavian music channels, adult contemporary formats, and special programs highlighting musical theatre soundtracks. Her music connects with listeners who appreciate vocal excellence and emotive songcraft.

You can hear the music of Helen Sjöholm on radio stations featured on our website. Explore and listen to her work through the variety of stations available on onairium.com.