Paris-based classical label Virgin Classics is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a unique French concert this weekend in Nice.
The star-studded birthday party takes place on Nov. 1 as part of the C’est pas Classique Festival in Nice.
Artists from the label performing at the gala event include French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, piano-playing brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, the Berlin-based Artemis Quartet, English tenor Ian Bostridge and L’Orchestre de Cannes Côte d’Azur under the baton of Philippe Bender.
The label was launched in 1988 with the intention of promoting the less mainstream classical acts.
In a statement the label emphasised its distinctiveness from its parent EMI Classics, whom it joined in 1992. “Virgin Classics continues to assert its creative independence and for the past 20 years has sustained a clear and distinctive vision,” said the label. “Part of this vision is a readiness to break the boundaries of the traditional classical repertoire.”
