Thomas Morell and his Letter about Handel

Abstract

The manuscript of Thomas Morell's letter about his collaboration in oratorio writing with Handel, a key document in Handel studies, is in Cambridge University Library, its presence there previously unknown to Handel scholars. Its addressee can be identified as John Nichols, who used its information in his biographical publications, and its date can be narrowed to 1776–81. The letter is printed accurately for the first time, along with the fullest account to date of Morell's character, circumstances, career, abilities and interests, and a reassessment of the position of his letter in our knowledge of Handel.