Nitrate Hymnal collection
Collection
0440-SCPA-NITRATE
Billed as a post-punk opera, The Nitrate Hymnal was developed by musician Robert Massey, who was inspired by his family films. It was produced by Anti-Social Music, co-commissioned by the Washington Performing Arts Society, and funded by grants from Creative Capital and the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities. This collection includes Massey’s extensive notes, illustrating the production process. It also includes his family videos, production notes, audio recordings, grant information, and a filmed performance from the January 2003 four-day run at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Auditorium.
The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the gift of any copyrighted materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.
3.0 Linear Feet
The Nitrate Hymnal collection covers the period from 2001 to 2005, with the bulk of the materials dating from 2002-2003. The collection consists of scripts, scores, production notes, audio and video recordings, publicity materials, grant information, and other financial materials.
The Nitrate Hymnal was a post-punk opera involving video projections. Conceived of by Robert "Bob" Massey in 2001 after he received his family’s collection of 8mm films, the production gained traction in 2002 with three showcase performances. In January 2003, Nitrate Hymnal was ultimately performed in its most finished form when it played for four nights at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Auditorium.
The Nitrate Hymnal was a collaboration between Massey, video producer David Wilson, and editor Emily Koonse. The production was produced by Anti-Social Music and funded by grants from Creative Capital, as well as a Washington Performing Arts Society commission. David Schweizer produced it, with David Durst directing the music. Jean Cook and Anti-Social Music worked with Massey and the Gena Rowlands Band to re-orchestrate and record the soundtrack in 2005. Following the 2006 release of the resulting album, the artists held two performances and a "Composers Brunch."
This collection is organized into four series:
Gift of creator Robert Massey, actress Susan Oetgen (Mimi), costume designer Lynn Sharp Spears, and drummer Vin Novara in 2005 and 2006.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library