When the Bayerische Staatsoper opens Kornél Mundruczó’ s new production of “Tosca” this week, it will feature two role debuts. One of those will belong to tenor Charles Castronovo.

Even if this is the U.S. singer’s his first Cavaradossi, he’s no stranger to Puccini’s repertory. Over the years he has performed Rodolfo in “La Bohème” as well as Ruggero in “La Rondine” and Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly.” For his portrayals, he has received rave reviews with critics stating, he “proved a consistently impassioned presence” and he has “ardent Italianate gorgeousness of tone, the line full of humanity.” Now it is time for something darker and grittier than he has taken on in the Puccini canon.

For those not in Munich, Castronovo continues singing Puccini throughout summer with a production of “Madama Butterfly” at the Teatro Real incoming. Next season he returns to Munich, Paris, and Zurich.

Recordings

To hear more Puccini by Castronovo, you can hear his recent album, “Puccini I Canti.”

Here he is performing “E Lucevan le Stelle.”