Hans Christian Andersen Born in Odense, Danmanrk, Andersen left his dear mother and hometown at the age of 14. His mom had intended him to apprentice her only son to a tailor before Andersen beseeched her to let him go Copenhagen. He wanted to try making an odd if he could be an actor in the theatre, which is his dream since childhood. He visited a ballerina as he first arrived in the capital, but she sent him away, regarding him insane. Later Andersen learned from a newspaper that Siboni, a famous opera singer from Italy, happened to drop by Danmark. He successfully persuaded Siboni by presenting wonderful singing and his miserable background to offer him singing practice. Siboni even allowed Andersen to live with him.