Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 February 1

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

English National Opera (ENO) is an opera company based in London, resident at the London Coliseum (pictured). Its productions are sung in English. The company's origins were in the late 19th century, when the philanthropist Emma Cons, later assisted by her niece Lilian Baylis, presented theatrical and operatic performances at the Old Vic in a rough area of London for the benefit of local people. Baylis acquired and rebuilt Sadler's Wells theatre in north London, which was better suited to opera than the Old Vic. The opera company grew there into a permanent ensemble in the 1930s and, after expansion required a move to the Coliseum in 1968, adopted its present name in 1974. Conductors associated with the company include Colin Davis, Reginald Goodall, Charles Mackerras, Mark Elder and Edward Gardner. ENO is known for its emphasis on the dramatic aspect of opera, with productions, sometimes controversial, by directors including David Pountney, Jonathan Miller, Nicholas Hytner, Phyllida Lloyd and Calixto Bieito. In addition to the core operatic repertoire, ENO has presented a wide range of works, from early operas by Monteverdi to new commissions, operetta and Broadway shows. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Drymoreomys – Bastion – Dreadnought

Archive – By email – More featured articles...

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's newest content:

... that Brasília National Park (pictured) is the largest park in the world which is situated in an urbanized area?

... that the music video of The Cure's 1988 single "Hot Hot Hot!!!" featured the band made up as "dwarves"?

... that Edward Bowditch was an All-American football player, aide-de-camp to John Pershing, and member of the 1922 commission that concluded that Filipinos were not yet ready for independence?

... that Charles Spalding, who improved the diving bell by adding a system of balance-weights, also owned a sweet shop?

... that Blackbird Vineyards' red wine, Arise, features blackbirds sitting on a telephone wire in the same layout as the starting notes of the Beatles' song "Blackbird"?

... that Ernest Melville DuPorte, "a father of confederation for entomology", was the first Black Canadian to teach at McGill University?

... that Tyrannasorus rex had wings and six legs?

Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Queen Beatrix (pictured) announces that she will abdicate the Dutch throne at the end of April.

In tennis, Victoria Azarenka wins the Women's Singles and Novak Djokovic wins the Men's Singles at the Australian Open.

The World Men's Handball Championship concludes with Spain defeating Denmark in the final.

More than 230 people are killed and over 160 others are injured in a nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil.

Miloš Zeman is elected President of the Czech Republic.

At least 60 people are killed in a prison riot in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

Recent deaths: Patty Andrews – Pham Duy

Syrian civil war – Wikinews – More current events...

On this day...

February 1: Imbolc (Northern Hemisphere); Lughnasadh (Southern Hemisphere); Feast day of St. Brigit of Kildare (Western Christianity)

1411 – The First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War.

1896 – Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème premiered at the Teatro Regio in Turin, Italy, eventually becoming one of the most frequently performed operas internationally.

1946 – As a result of a compromise between the major powers within the United Nations, Norwegian politician Trygve Lie (pictured) was elected as its first Secretary-General.

1968 – Photographer Eddie Adams took his Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of the summary execution of Viet Cong prisoner Nguyen Van Lem, which helped build opposition to the Vietnam War.

1991 – On final approach to Los Angeles International Airport, USAir Flight 1493 accidentally collided with a smaller aircraft and caught fire, killing 34 people.

More anniversaries: January 31 – February 1 – February 2

Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries

It is now February 1, 2013 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

A view from the path to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, in Pakistan. With a summit elevation of 8,126 metres (26,660 ft), the mountain is the ninth-highest in the world. It was first climbed in 1953.

Photograph: Waqas Usman

Recently featured: Antonov An-124 – White-faced Heron – Nail clippers

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.