Virgin Classics

{{Short description|Record label, founded 1988, absorbed into Warner Classics from 2013}}

{{Infobox record label

| name = Virgin Classics

| image = 150px

| parent = {{ubl|Thorn EMI (1992–1996)|EMI (1996–2012)|Parlophone Label Group
(independent operation; 2012–2013)|Warner Music Group
(back catalogue; 2013–present)}}

| founded = {{Start date and age|1988}}

| defunct = {{End date and age|2013}}

| founder = Richard Branson

| status = Defunct; absorbed into Erato Records

| distributor =

| genre = Classical music

| country = France

| location =

| url =

}}

Virgin Classics was a record label founded in 1988 as part of Richard Branson's Virgin Records.[http://www.emiclassics.com/aboutusvirgin.php Virgin Classics - EMI Classics] "Virgin Classics was launched in April 1988 by Richard Branson, the founder and director of Virgin Classics."

The unit, along with EMI Classics, was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2012 as part of the takeover of the EMI Music Group, however the terms of the European Commission's September 2012 approval of the takeover requires divestment of the classical labels[http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/magazines/classical_music/news/classical_music_news_story.asp?id=1576 Buyers circle EMI Classics and Virgin Classics after EU judgment ] 28 September 2012, "French indie outfit Naïve and Richard Branson's Virgin group have refused to comment on reports they are in talks about bidding for parts of the recording empire – for the former it would be Virgin Classics and the huge expertise of its chief, Alain Lanceron." which were sold on 7 February 2013 to Warner Music Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/warner-to-buy-the-parlophone-label-group|title=Warner to buy the Parlophone Label Group|first=James|last=Jolly|date=February 7, 2013|website=www.gramophone.co.uk}} The European Union approved the deal in May 2013.{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Updated: Warner Music Group’s Acquisition of Parlophone Approved by European Commission |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/1561787/warner-music-groups-acquisition-of-parlophone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613182139/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/1561787/updated-warner-music-groups-acquisition-of-parlophone |archive-date=2013-06-13 |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website= Billboard}} Warner Music's Warner Classics unit absorbed the Virgin Classics artists roster and catalogue into Erato Records{{cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/latest-news/emi-classics-and-virgin-classics-join-warners/|title=EMI Classics and Virgin Classics to join Warners|website=Classic FM}} but lost the rights to use either the EMI or Virgin names.