WELCOME TO THE
DERRA DE MORODA DANCE ARCHIVES
The Derra de Moroda Dance Archives (DdMDA) in Salzburg were founded by the dancer, choreographer, dance pedagogue and dance-publicist Friderica Derra de Moroda (1897–1978), who donated her renowned collection of dance-related media, sources and artifacts to the Institute of Musicology (today Department of Art History, Musicology and Dance Studies) of the University of Salzburg in 1975.
Emerging from a meticulous and passionate collecting activity, the DdMDA reflect the personal inclinations and focal points of its founder as well as Derra de Moroda’s individual view of dance. This was directed towards movement and physicality—in dancing, collecting and researching, in dealing with dance history as well as with current trends in dance of her time.
With its broad thematic and material scope, the Dance Archive preserves diverse traces of dance culture from the Renaissance to well into the 20th century. The thematic focuses include 19th century ballet and its ballerinas, the Ballets Russes, Central European Ausdruckstanz, dance technique and dance notation, national and social dance as well as ballet and the “ballet reform” of the 18th century.
Since it was moved to the university, the collection has expanded gradually over the decades. Today it consists of thousands of items related to dance, as well as subjects like music, theater, costume, scenography, fashion, folklore, and cultural history.
The Derra de Moroda Dance Archives are located in the Unipark Nonntal (University of Salzburg, Unipark, Erzabt-Klotz-Str. 1, A-5020 Salzburg) and are open to interested visitors during regular opening hours or by individual appointment!
