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Today's featured article Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908) was a Russian composer, and a member of the group of composers known as The Five. He was a master of orchestration. His best-known orchestral compositions—Capriccio Espagnol, the Russian Easter Festival Overture, and the symphonic suite Scheherazade—are considered staples of the classical music repertoire, along with suites and excerpts from some of his 15 operas. Scheherazade is an example of his frequent use of fairy tale and folk subjects. Rimsky-Korsakov left a considerable body of original Russian nationalist compositions. He prepared works by The Five for performance, which brought them into the active classical repertoire (although there is controversy over his editing of the works of Modest Mussorgsky). He also shaped a generation of younger composers and musicians during his decades as an educator. Rimsky-Korsakov is therefore considered "the main architect" of what the classical music public considers the Russian style of composition. (more...) Recently featured: Tom Crean – Ruffed lemur – Le Père Goriot Archive – By email – More featured articles... Did you know... From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the Temple of Bel (pictured), dedicated in 32 AD, formed the center of religious life in Palmyra, Syria and is considered its "best preserved" ruin? ... that 6.9 Mw Chile earthquake of March 2010 took place shortly before president Sebastián Piñera, was sworn in? ... that the Parks and Recreation episode "Woman of the Year" mocked the meaninglessness of awards, which some critics saw as a jab about the show's failure to win major industry awards? ... that despite his international success, Tunisian-Swiss 1500 metres runner Ali Hakimi only became Tunisian champion three times? ... that the wreck of the British battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary has been designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986? ... that film composer Nathan Scott, who arranged the music for Dragnet, scored almost all episodes of Lassie between 1963 and 1974? ... that what is thought to have been the first ever properly floodlit association football match in the United Kingdom took place between two non-league teams, Ashton National and Hyde United, in December 1932? ... that according to legend, New York Assemblywoman Ida Sammis' first act in the legislature was to polish the brass spittoon assigned to her, and to place it on her desk as a flower vase? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news A fire destroys the Kasubi Tombs (main building pictured), a World Heritage Site in Uganda where the Bugandan kings are buried. As much as ninety percent of Chile's population loses power in a massive blackout. A series of bomb attacks kills at least 72 people in Lahore, Pakistan. The Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympics is held in Vancouver, Canada. In Kazakhstan, at least 35 people are killed and more than 1,000 evacuated after the Kyzyl-Agash dam bursts. Mykola Azarov is appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine, following the resignation of Yulia Tymoshenko. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events... On this day... March 18: Flag Day in Aruba (1976) 1229 – Sixth Crusade: Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II crowned himself King of Jerusalem, although his wife Queen Yolande of Jerusalem had died, leaving their infant son Conrad as the rightful heir. 1892 – Canadian Governor General Frederick Stanley of Preston pledged to donate what would become the Stanley Cup (1893 version pictured), today the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, as an award for Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey club. 1915 – World War I: In one of the largest naval battles in the Gallipoli Campaign, a joint British and French operation to capture Constantinople, the defences of the Ottoman Empire sank three Allied battleships and severely damaged three others. 1965 – Cosmonaut Alexey Leonov donned a space suit and ventured outside the Voskhod 2 spacecraft, becoming the first person to walk in space. 1985 – The first episode of the Australian soap opera Neighbours was first broadcast on the Seven Network, eventually becoming the longest running drama in Australian television history. More anniversaries: March 17 – March 18 – March 19 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now March 18, 2010 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture The dune stinkhorn (Phallus hadriani) is a species of fungi recognized by its phallic-shaped fruiting body and its pitted and ridged cap. It is distinguished from the common stinkhorn by the pink or violet-colored volva at the base of the stem. Like the common name implies, the fungus has a strong odor; some describe it as pleasant, while others find it foetid or putrid. Photo credit: Nathan Wilson Recently featured: Patrick Street, Cork, Ireland – Pistachio – Acacus Mountains Archive – More featured pictures...

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