From the Hans Christian Andersen biography "The Life of Hans Christian Andersen. Day By Day", written by DPhil Johan de Mylius:
1853
12 February
Performance of Nøkken. Opera i een Act (The Water Elf. Opera in One Act), with music by F. Glæaser - and not, as HCA had wanted originally, by Gade. The piece is performed 7 times during HCA's life.
23 February
The Water Elf is printed and released.
31 March
Sees a performance by the Price Company at the Court Theatre which includes a prologue by HCA. This is the first occasion on which he sees King Frederik VII (in a theatre box) with Countess Danner.