Ace Canadian singer Celine Dion made a comeback to the live stage on Friday, July 26, 2024, singing Edith Piaf’s classic “L’Hymne A l’Amour” to close the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The 56-year-old singer said in late 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome that causes muscle spasms.
The syndrome causes muscle rigidity and increased sensitivity to sound, touch and emotional stimuli that can trigger spasms. The condition led the multiple Grammy winner to cancel all of her tour dates for 2023 and 2024.
“In the ceremony we have a love anthem and that’s L’Hymne A l’Amour. We all wanted to finish the show with this song and our first idea was very simple and clear. We wanted to ask the best singer to sing love and this is Celine Dion.
Celine Dion cancels shows over health challenges
“It was obvious for us to ask her to do that to close the ceremony,” artistic director Thomas Jolly told Reuters on Friday.
Dion, who started her career singing in French, had not performed live since March 2020, when she appeared in New Jersey.
“How proud we are! Our Celine singing Edith Piaf’s L’hymne à l’amour at the Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Olympic Games,” Quebec Premier Francois Legault wrote on X.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X: “A proud Quebecer from Charlemagne is on stage at the Opening Ceremony! Celine Dion is a Canadian icon, an incredible talent, and she overcame a lot to be there tonight.
“Celine, it’s great to see you singing again.”
Dion, best known for the “Titanic” movie theme song “My Heart Will Go On”, was first spotted in Paris on Tuesday, triggering speculation that she would be part of Friday’s extravaganza.
Referred to as the “Queen of Power Ballads”, she is noted for her powerful and technically skilled vocals.
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