Celine Dion returned to the stage Saturday with a sold-out concert at Paris’ Plenitude Arena, her first full concert in six years. The account is based on reporting by CBS News and AFP.
The 58-year-old French Canadian singer opened with her 1990s French-language ballad “On ne change pas” (“One Doesn’t Change”) before a crowd of 30,000. Fighting back tears, Dion told the audience, “These are, of course, tears of joy. I’m so delighted to see you.”
Dion’s return follows years of uncertainty after stiff-person syndrome, an incurable neurological condition that causes stiffness and cramps, forced her to cancel shows. “The path was rockier than expected,” she said in French and English. “But I held on to a faint ray of light in the distance.”
The concert began a 26-date residency, with 16 shows scheduled for September and October and another 10 planned for May. CBS reported that the residency is projected to generate hundreds of millions of euros in economic benefits.
Fans traveled from around the world, including Tahiti and Brazil. Some London attendees told CBS they spent about $2,000 on tickets, saying Dion’s return justified the cost.
For global entertainment audiences, the event marks a significant career milestone: a major recording artist resuming live performances after a serious health setback, while the reported schedule will test the sustainability of that comeback.
Comments
No comments yet.