Celine Dion packed Montreal’s Bell Centre last night in the first of an almost sold-out run of 10 shows. The crowd of over 20,000 welcomed her home with standing ovations song after song.
A power-house performance in which she demonstrated several times how much she loves, and thrives on the performing, Dion gave her French-speaking fans a lot to enjoy singing the single from her new French-language album, ‘Encore un Soir’, which will be released August 26th, 2016.
The first date of this summer tour also featured some of her big English hits, such as a rocking version of ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ powerful renditions of ‘ It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’ and ‘The Power of Love’. The almost mandatory, ‘My Heart Will Go On’ came at the end of a night that included a great version of Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ with the crowd singing along, and the Queen sensation, ‘The Show Must Go On’.
“I always expect the best from Celine”
Estavan Peric is one of her many “superfans”. He will be at every show in Montreal. Last night’s was the 55th Celine Dion show in his life so far, and he said this one was special. “I always expect the best from Celine” he said. He has followed her for 20 years. Hesold his first car, a gift from his father on his 18th birthday, to buy a ticket for a Dion show. He eventually emigrated to Montreal because of his love for the chanteuse from Charlemagne, Quebec.
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Estavam Peric first heard Dion sing in elementary school when a teacher played a song of Dion’s to help the students learning English. Peric was so inspired he began to learn French to better understand that catalogue of the singer’s work. Eventually he came to Montreal to study, fell in love with the city and began the process to emigrate.
It was an emotional show for Dion, and for the fans like Peric in the front row. He said he couldn’t keep from crying as it was the first show in Montreal “without Rene.” Celine Dion’s husband, and manager, Rene Angelil, her partner in her career, died on January 14, 2016 following a three-year battle with throat cancer. His funeral, on January 22, 2016 in Montreal was a civic affair, with hundreds waiting hours in the cold to convey their respects.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Dion said in French, at last night’s show. “I just want to say I received all your words, your memories, all that energy. The last time that we saw each other, it was under very sad circumstances. But I want to make this a happy show, with strong emotions. The kids are doing good. I’m doing good. It’s time to smile and think of great memories. For sure, here in Montreal, I have to think of René and I know he’s here with us.”
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