Fiery buskers bring mix to Union Theater

They perform in black nowadays on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, but they were originally discovered playing Bach in a Frankfurt subway station.

Trio Voronezh, three Russians whose virtuosity and artistic innovation have brought the house down on National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor, and at many other venues, plan to appear at the Wisconsin Union Theater Saturday, March 2, at 8 p.m.

Vladimir Volochin plays the domra, a three-stringed short-necked ancestor of the mandolin, and has been titled national champion in the All-Russian Domra Competition. Sergei Teleshev plays the bajan, a chromatic-button accordion that is played partially with the chin. Valerie Petruchin plays a double-bass balalaika, a large version of the three-stringed Russian national instrument, with a triangular body made of fir .

The three still make their home in the working-class city of Voronezh, where they grew up and trained as classical musicians. Their repertoire is diverse. According to the NAPRA ReView, audiences “visit Vivaldi, see a circus, cavort with Gypsies, meet Bach and dance with Gershwin.”

Trio Voronezh appears under the sponsorship of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee. Promotional support is provided by WORT-FM. Tickets: $26 ($25 for Union Members, $12.50 for UW–Madison students, Union Theater Box Office, (608) 262-2201.