Opera Star Charged With Disorderly Conduct After Restaurant Row

Gabriela Pochinki

A sexy South American opera singer who behaved like a real diva in an Upper West Side restaurant is due in court today to face charges of trespassing, theft of service, and disorderly conduct. It all started when diners at restaurant Nice Matin complained that soprano Gabriela Pochinki was carrying on a noisy cell phone conversation via speakerphone. And when a manager had the nerve to tell Pochinki—a Fulbright scholar who was the toast of Vienna for her portrayal of Maria in West Side Story—to pipe down, she got quite an earful!

A co-worker of manager Jeanette Josue says Pochinki waved her away, saying, "Get out of here. I'm not leaving." And when Josue returned—for the fourth time—Pochinki "really shoved her. She pushed her away, even as she turned away," the employee tells the Daily News. The altercation was caught on camera ("in color"!), so we've got that to look forward to.

Pochinki then declared she would not pay her $34 tab, and police were called to the scene. An NYPD source tells the Post, "She became unreasonably noisy."

Pochinki's business manager insists there must be some mistake, because "she's such a sweet person. I don't know what could have happened. She doesn't drink; she doesn't smoke. She's the most peaceful person you'll ever meet."

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By John Del Signore in News on October 23, 2009 10:43 AM

Comments [rss]

Mohamed

hello you'll,

I have seen what heppend that night, that bitch should be lucked forver.

Miss Justice

"An sexy South American Opera singer" ?...

Argentine opera diva Gabriela Pochinki?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJO0Bo_EErI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G3ULQob7E0

? ? ? ...

felixthecatSUX

"An sexy South American Opera singer"... This typo is hurting my eyes UUUGGGHHHH... If it's not a typo the writer needs to go back to school

Kevin Walsh

She is a star. Stars do this, and they are permitted to do it.

www.forgotten-ny.com

ribaldry

Sounds about right. South Americans are notoriously difficult to deal with especially in a restaurant setting.

The Edge

i can think of one way to shut her up.. and no, it doesn't involve violence. :) :) :)

turkishjade

The technology exists to block cell service in a small area. I don't know anyone who likes to have someone at a near table speaking loudly on their cell phone. Why not put up a sign that says that cell phones are only allowed outside, and then jam the signal?

Places they should do this: the theatre, cinemas, restaurants and clubs (specifically so we don't have to see "that guy" on the dance floor with his bluetooth on his ear.)

just saying

How much does the technology cost to block cell phone service? It may be more cost effective for larger venues such as theatres and cinemas. Instead, why not just behave considerately?

"Witnesses said Pochinki and her daughter were engaged in a boisterous cell phone banter with someone they had on speaker phone."

Mr Mel

The technology is there someplace. Boy, would I like to get my hands on a phone signal zapper. I'd use it mostly when I'm on a bus and someone is gabbing in a language I don't understand.

jaycjay

The technology exists but not only is it illegal to operate a jammer in the US, it's illegal to own them, manufacture them, offer them for sale, or even advertise them for sale.

Only a few countries currently allow their use even in very specific locations like some on your list. So, that dream will not come true any time soon.

NannyState

I'd like to test my Basso in her pipes.

JenChungsBaby

She certainly has healthy looking lungs.

Guest

I thought it was over when the fat lady sang. What the hell is it when she sings?

JacqueMehoff

everything I know about opera I've learned from The Odd Couple.

henryhamilton

Modest and pure, polite and refined, well bred and mature and OUT OF HER MIND!

S.K.

If Kournikova couldn't play tennis, Pochinki can't sing. But male audiences grew anyway.

JMH

Clearly I need a boat.

santijose

she would fit the part a lot better if she were soap opera singer. are there such things?

just saying

There is now.

ides_of_march

Sentenced to 200 hours community service; in her case that's 200 hours of not singing.

Mr. Shankly

On my lap.

hotstepper

is your first name Randy?

Mr. Shankly

Thanks for my new desktop wallpaper.

sexisicilian

LMAO:)

Chillinoncentral

These opera stars practice and perform their arias loudly for several hours a day and, as a result, I don't think they even realize when they are being rudely loud. I've seen one at the gym practicing loudly (and horribly) while running on a treadmill totally unaware of others twisting their heads in disgust.

angry_pickle

Opera singers wouldn't get on a treadmill because huffing and puffing would damage their voice. I think that person singing opera at the gym was just an asshole.

militza

I live below one and he's not half bad.

he practices during the day while I'm at work, so it's fine.

thefacts

Fullbright?

She seems half bright.

missbloom

She's a god-awful singer too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G3ULQob7E0

Lock her up, I say. They'd be doing the music world a favor.

just saying

It's now official: continual shrieking into a cell phone permanently damages your vocal chords.

SC

I don't know a damn thing about opera, and even I didn't think that was any good.

But I like the pic.

felixthecat2

that was real awful.

felixthecat2

She massacre Ave Maria. See the difference with Tarja Turunen who sang it perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_vMEvcPDGs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ0sTZQQUzw

mdow

Gotta love the comment from her manager...yes, smoking makes people loud and violent, so it's key for you to point out that she doesn't smoke. With every cigarette, a little louder, a little less in control, a little more angry, until finally...

hotstepper

what a entitled bitch.

and her business manager, despite footage of the incident, is taking the place of the mother who always says, "oh but she's such a nice girl, she would never do this."