Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 March 9

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Faryl is the debut album by British mezzo-soprano Faryl Smith (pictured), who rose to fame on the second series of Britain's Got Talent. Released on 9 March 2009, it became the fastest-selling classical solo album in British chart history, selling 29,200 copies in the first week, higher than any other debut album of a classical singer. It was produced by Jon Cohen, and the backing music was provided by a 60-piece orchestra. As part of the album's promotion, Smith made numerous television and radio appearances and filmed a music video for "River of Light", a song set to The Blue Danube. Faryl reached number 4 in the UK Albums Chart, becoming the third album by a Britain's Got Talent contestant to reach the top ten in Britain. Smith subsequently embarked on a promotional tour in the US, where the album reached number 6 on the classical chart. Faryl was fairly well received by critics, who praised Smith's performances and Cohen's production, although there was criticism for the use of the orchestra and the song choices. As one of the ten best-selling classical albums in the UK in 2009, Faryl was nominated for a Classical BRIT Award in the album of the year category. (Full article...)

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From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content:

... that pumps (pictured) were brought from the Netherlands to help remove flood water during the winter flooding of 2013–14 on the Somerset Levels in South West England?
... that J. S. Wood published The Fate of Fenella, a novel by twenty-four writers without any collaboration?
... that Alfred Dörffel edited several volumes of the first complete edition of the Works of Johann Sebastian Bach by the Bach Gesellschaft, beginning with cantatas in 1878 and ending in 1898?
... that at least 128 athletes have participated in both the Summer and Winter Olympic games?
... that gold medal-winning sit-skier Marit Ruth has devised a Segway-based vehicle that can be used by people without legs?
... that screenwriter Chris Galletta sold his first screenplay before graduating from film school?

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In the news

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (aircraft pictured), en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard, goes missing over the Gulf of Thailand.
The 2014 Winter Paralympics open in Sochi, Russia.
The Supreme Council of Crimea votes to leave Ukraine and join the Russian Federation and announces a referendum on secession.
Scientists discover a viable Pithovirus specimen in 30,000-year-old frozen tundra, marking the largest giant virus yet found.
At the 86th Academy Awards, 12 Years a Slave wins Best Picture and Gravity wins seven awards, including Best Director.

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On this day...

March 9

1009 – The first known record of the name of Lithuania appeared in an entry in the annals of the Quedlinburg Abbey (in modern Germany).
1776 – The Wealth of Nations by Scottish political economist Adam Smith (bust pictured) was first published, becoming the first modern work in the field of economics.
1847 – Mexican–American War: The Siege of Veracruz began, the first large-scale amphibious assault conducted by United States military forces.
1944 – World War II: As part of the Battle of Narva, the Soviet Air Forces heavily bombed Tallinn, Estonia, killing up to 800 people, mostly civilians.
1959 – Barbie, the world's best-selling doll, debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.

More anniversaries: March 8 – March 9 – March 10

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Today's featured picture

"Mariana" is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, published in 1830. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, though possibly drawing on influences from sources as varied as Sappho and Keats. It depicts a young woman lamenting her isolation from society, and her despair at her lover's absence, using imagery of a decaying wasteland surrounding Mariana's house to convey her emotions and isolation. The poem was well received at publication; one modern scholar described Mariana as "the most famous heroine of the 1830 volume".

Photogravure illustration: W. E. F. Britten; restoration: Adam Cuerden

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