131 / 222
106
taining about 800 persons.
It is supported out of
the K ing’s Civil List, and chiefly used for Concerts
given by foreign artists to whom it is allowed
gratis.
During the reign of Christian V III. this
theatre was granted to an Italian Opera Company,
w h ic h , though none o f the b e s t, afforded an
agreeable recreation to the Musical public, p a r
ticularly to the foreign residents.
The
Casino
, in A m aliega d e, built in
1846,
from plans and ideas suggested b y , and through
the exertions o f ,
Georg Carstensen,
plays an
important part in the W inter amusements o f the
Copenhageners.
Originally the building, arranged
with great taste, was planned for the most varied
diversions, among w h ich , h ow ever, dramatic per
formances were to act a subordinate part: the
ground floor was therefore laid out as a Bazar,
Refreshment R o om , &c. ; the Pergola, on the first
floor, was arranged as a winter garden ; and the
two Saloons were appropriated partly for Concerts
and M asquerades, partly, when opportunity offered
to dramatic and similar performances.
But this
plan proved a failure ; the establishment became
deeply involved ; the capital raised by shares was
regarded as lost ; a n d , to escape entire ru in , it
was placed under Administration.
It was soon
seen that the theatre must be relied upon as the