Ramiz Kovaçi

Ramiz Kovaçi (22 March 1929 – 1994) was an Albanian baritone. One of his generation's most notable opera singers, he was the main baritone of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania and a founder of the Academy of Arts of Albania. In his last years, he performed at the İzmir venue of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet. He received the titles of People's Artist of Albania and Honor of Nation Order.

Kovaçi was consistently in the jury of the Festivali i Këngës, a light music event, beginning from its second edition in 1963. He had a disagreement with composer Çesk Zadeja on which song should win the 1963 festival (Flake e Borë or the eventual winner Djaloshi dhe Shiu). The dispute was settled with a decision that accounted for the intervention of composer Simon Gjoni, another jury member, who thought that Djaloshi dhe Shiu was more of a hit than Flake e Borë.

Personal life In 1963, he married Nikoleta Lilova, a Bulgarian native, and brought her to Albania. They had a daughter, who married Edmond Tullumani, father of soprano Ramona Tullumani. Kovaçi died in 1994.

Recognition Aside from being the recipient of the titles of People's Artist of Albania, and Honor of Nation Order,