Handel’s speedy method

Morrell gave Handel the words of Cleopatra’s air “Convey me to some peaceful shore” in Alexander Balus, he cried out “Damn your Iambics!”. Morell offered to change them to trochees and went into the next room to do so, only to find about three minutes later that Handel had set them as they stood.”

Dean, Winton (1995) “George Friederic Handel”, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: Macmillan, vol. 8, p.104.

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