in 1891, he married anne marie brodersen who was a sculptress. they travelled together to italy where they saw lots of great art. when they returned to denmark nielsen started composing some of the music that was to make him famous. in 1901 the danish government paid him money every year so that he did not have to teach and could spend his time composing. he also conducted the royal theatre when svendsen retired. he often travelled to other countries and, later, did some teaching and examining at the copenhagen conservatoire. he was made director of the conservatoire in 1931, shortly before he died.