RELIC: The Blood of the Rose

In 1701 Peru, a Spanish libretto by the poet Calderón de la Barca and a score by Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco combined to create La Púrpura de la Rosa — the first opera ever staged in the Americas. Relic, the period-instrument chamber orchestra hailed as “stylish and innovative” (New York Classical Review), brings that story back to life in The Blood of the Rose, an instrumental adaptation of Calderón’s tale of Venus and Adonis. Structured in five musical “chapters” and threaded with spoken excerpts from the original libretto, the program traces the arc of the myth: the couple’s blossoming romance, Mars’s jealous campaign to destroy it, and the lovers’ tragic end. The result is a seamless curation of Baroque repertoire spanning Europe and Latin America, weighted toward Spanish and Latin American composers and works inspired by the Venus and Adonis legend — among them Torrejón y Velasco, Roque Jacinto de Chavarría, Juan de Araujo, Handel, John Blow, and Alessandro Scarlatti. It’s a signature example of Relic’s narrative-driven programming, the approach that has built the ensemble’s growing national reputation since its founding in 2022 — uniting historical insight with theatrical, emotionally direct storytelling for audiences new to early music and longtime devotees alike. 31 W. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60654 Getting there: The venue sits between State and Dearborn Streets in River North, a few blocks from the CTA Red Line’s Grand station (State & Grand), with additional Red/Blue Line access at Chicago and Clark/Lake. Our events utilize a third-party ticketing system for convenience and efficiency. While we strive to ensure a smooth purchasing experience, we are not responsible for any technical issues, errors, or problems arising from the use of this system. Please direct any ticketing-related concerns to the ticketing service provider. All our venues comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. We are committed to providing accessible experiences for all patrons. If you have specific accommodation needs, please contact us in advance of the event. Photography and Recording: Please be aware that photography, audio, and video recording may occur during our performances. By attending our events, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or recorded. These materials may be used for promotional, archival, or commercial purposes without compensation to attendees. All ticket sales are final. We do not offer refunds or exchanges except in extraordinary circumstances, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at our sole discretion. Please ensure you have selected the correct event, date, and seat before completing your purchase. While we make every effort to proceed with scheduled events as announced, we reserve the right to make changes to the program, cast, or schedule if necessary. Such changes do not entitle the ticket holder to a refund or exchange. Personal Property and Safety: We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property. Attendees assume all risks incidental to the event, including the risk of personal injury. By purchasing a ticket and attending our events, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions. WITH REGARD TO FREE EVENTS: Some of the events at the ILCC are FREE to attend, in some cases we ask for a suggested donation. In all instances we require you still reserve your tickets as space in some venues is limited. To reserve your tickets simply follow the box office protocol as usual. FREE events will be clearly marked as such. This site uses cookies. Find out more about cookies and how you can refuse them.