Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Céline Dion sure knows how to make a comeback.
The Quebec singer returned to the stage for the first time in almost four years on Friday, but it wasn’t just any stage – of course the pop diva chose the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, on the Eiffel Tower, as the site of her first . performance since she announced to the world that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS) and canceled her world tour.
Dressed in a stunning floor-length beaded gown complete with fringe detailing and a long cape, Dion took the first stage of the Eiffel Tower to perform a Parisian staple – Édith Piaf The Hymn to Love.
Dion appeared, at times, overcome with emotion as the crowd cheered below. But she performed as strong as ever, her voice clear and unwavering as she hit every note with conviction.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Flyer screenshot was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) This flyer, released by Olympic Broadcast Services, shows a scene of singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Screengrab from IOC via Getty Images).
Canadian singer Celine Dion performs on the Eiffel Tower as the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games comes to a close on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Leading up to the opening ceremony, Dion’s highly anticipated performance was a poorly kept, often teased, tongue-in-cheek secret.
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The French president, Emmanuel Macron, suggested to the France 2 television channel that the chanteuse would make an appearance at the Olympic Games.
“I won’t reveal anything, what [opening ceremony director] Thomas Jolly and all his teams are prepared,” Macron said, but acknowledged that the singer had arrived in his city earlier this week and Olympic fans were in for a “surprise”.
Celine Dion is seen leaving a hotel on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France.
Photo by MEGA/GC Images
Dion, himself, has not been shy about posting about returning to the City of Light either. Since her arrival in Paris, she has been updating her fans on social media and has been seen around the city.
“Every time I return to Paris, I remember that there is still so much beauty and joy to experience in the world,” she shared to X on Wednesday.
Following the release of her documentary last month, I’m Celinetold TVA’s Jean-Philippe Dion that a spasm in her throat during her Taking Chances tour in 2008 started what she called “17 years of panic” as she tried to understand what was happening to her body and voice which has made her a worldwide name.
She lost the ability to hit her notes reliably as the spasms continued and saw her try everything from steam to asthma treatments to powerful medicines. She even learned to adapt her songs by changing how she sang, but the stress of wanting to perform made her feel tense and made her symptoms worse. After years of “lying down,” she said she made the decision to face her illness.
— with files from Sean Previl of Global News
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10646099/celine-dion-olympics-performance-opening-ceremony-paris-2024/
