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Barbara Quintiliani’s most serious challenge yet

Local soprano Barbara Quintiliani overcame many hurdles to reach the top of her art

By Geoff Edgers

 |  Globe Staff  

  May 06, 2012

Bill Schuman’s fingers rolled over the piano keys. Soprano Barbara Quintiliani stood, facing the famed vocal coach, and opened her mouth. Suddenly this woman, who had been hospitalized weeks at a time, dozing as many as 18 hours a day, filled the room with the tremendously rich, resonant sound that had earned her critical praise and top prizes around the world. Schuman nodded at a break. “Your cords are good,” he said. On the outside, Quintiliani acted cool. Inside, she was still terrified.

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