Celine Dion successfully completes her first solo concert in Paris in 6 years... 30,000 spectators and ‘tears of joy’

First solo stage in 6 years with 30,000 fans in Paris, France

‘Tears of joy’ during the performance… “Everyone, I, I will sing for life”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Soo-jin = Celine Dion (58), who overcame muscle spasticity and neurological disease, successfully held a comeback concert in Paris, France on the 12th (local time), AFP reported.

In this performance, held four years after revealing that he was suffering from illness, Dion confessed the difficult process of fighting the disease, saying, "It was a much more difficult road than expected," and fans did not hide their overwhelming feelings at seeing him again.

On this day, Dion held a solo concert for the first time in six years at the Plenitude Arena on the western outskirts of Paris.

He was scheduled to hold a concert at the La Defense Arena in Paris as part of his 2020 Walt Tour, but postponed it once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and canceled all scheduled performances in 2022 after revealing that he was suffering from 'Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS)', a rare disease that causes muscle stiffness.

Dion seemed to be deeply moved from the beginning of the concert and even showed tears. He said, “I am crying tears of joy,” and “I am so happy to meet you all.”

He said, “I held on to the faint ray of light seen deep in the mountains far away,” and added, “Tonight, I will sing for you, for myself, and for life.”

At the concert on this day, 30,000 spectators gathered to welcome his return. French daily Le Figaro reported that former President Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, also attended the performance.

As if responding to Dion's passion, the city of Paris also promoted the concert atmosphere through various events throughout the city.

The hot air balloon that floated over Paris' Tuileries Park the day before was engraved with part of Edith Piaf's 'Hymn of Love' song and 'Celine', which she sang at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The name of the railway station near the concert hall was temporarily changed to 'Celine'.

Dion plans to hold a total of 16 concerts until next month and an additional 10 concerts in May next year.

Dion, from Quebec, Canada, is a world-renowned singer who has sold approximately 260 million albums in English and French over 40 years and has received five Grammy Awards for singing the theme song 'My Heart Will Go On' from the movie 'Titanic'.