Petr Dopita, the celebrated singer, actor, and world champion of playing the Canadian saw, has died at the age of 78. Dopita, who graced the stage with dozens of opera, operetta, and musical roles at the South Bohemian Theater in České Budějovice, was particularly renowned for his portrayal of the title role in the 1996 musical “Dracula.” Producer Tomáš Ságl announced his passing on Thursday.
As a child, Dopita sang in a choir in his hometown of Olomouc. His professional journey began after winning several talent competitions, leading him to become a soloist with the Gustav Brom orchestra. He later performed as a solo singer in Poland and Germany, according to the National Moravian-Silesian Theater.
Petr Dopita Rip 🖤
Posted by Tomáš Ságl on Thursday, August 14, 2025
Dopita joined the South Bohemian Theater in České Budějovice in 1993, where he took on over twenty opera, operetta, and musical roles. His performance as Count Dracula in the 1996 musical, created by Karel Svoboda and Zdeněk Borovec, spanned three years. He also contributed his talents to the Karlín Music Theater.
Beyond his acting and singing career, Dopita cultivated a unique passion for playing the Canadian saw. He traveled internationally with this musical instrument, even performing in the United States. In 2000, he achieved a significant milestone by winning the first World Championship for playing the Canadian saw.
