Photos: Celine Dion returns home to Montreal for first time since husband’s death, 17-show run
It was a homecoming fit for royalty and rightfully so when our reigning Caesars Palace queen Celine Dion returned to Montreal for last Sunday night’s first of 17 Quebec concerts.
It was a highly emotional and triumphant return seven months after her longtime manager and husband Rene Angelil died after losing a horrid battle against cancer. It also was the superstar’s first run of shows back home in seven years.
My friend Jamie Bainum, who attends all of Celine’s shows as one of her most faithful fans, was front and center Sunday and invited to be her red carpet guest and attend the post-show press conference for me.
Jamie will be there again for Thursday’s appearance by Celine on ABC’s “Greatest Hits Live” finale show. Celine will perform “My Heart Will Go On” on a live satellite broadcast from Montreal to Microsoft Theater in Hollywood.
Here’s Jamie’s report and photographs of Celine’s premiere:
Celine was back home for the first time since Rene’s death. Her first show was at Bell Center blocks away from the cathedral where she married the love of her life and said goodbye to him at the January funeral.
It truly was an emotional show for her, yet she did it with power, strength and Rene. He was for sure there with her and all of us. Celine acknowledged his presence and, looking up to the rafters, blew him a kiss.
“I have to think of Rene while here in Montreal, and I know that he’s here with us,” said Celine.
When she first stood onstage after singing a verse from “Trois Heures Vingt (3:20),” the song that she walked into Rene’s funeral, the arena roared with love and gave her a long standing ovation. Her voice was magnificent. She had incredible energy and was having so much fun onstage.
There was one very emotional moment. After the first verse of “Et Je T’aime Encore (“I Love You Still”), the crowd started cheering, and Celine had to stop singing because she began crying. It was an even longer standing ovation and louder cheering than when she first appeared onstage.
She explained at the beginning of the show she would not do any outfit changes so that she could spend the entire time onstage. For one of the new French songs, “Ce Soir on Danse,” she asked her musical conductor, Scott Price, to incorporate the theme song from “Law & Order” to start it because it was one of Rene’s favorite TV shows.
At the post-show press conference, Celine said it had been seven years since she had performed in her hometown. She talked about her kids loving the house they rented here:
“They have a lot of land to run around on and things to do. In Las Vegas, it’s so hot in the summer, and here they are able to enjoy being outside in nature all day. Instead of playing with the computer indoors in 112-degree heat, they are playing outdoors and going fishing.
“I’m ecstatic to be home, even a little nervous, and never expected this welcome. It’s over the top. Don’t misunderstand. I love Las Vegas because of the opportunity to perform for my fans from all over the world.”
Celine and Rene’s son Rene-Charles, 15, was at the show with his friends. Celine said he chooses when he wants to come, and she loves it when he does: “I have a cell phone now. I didn’t for a long time, but now I am keeping up with technology.”
“Her new stylist, Law Roach, was in attendance, as well. She absolutely loves him. He is so passionate about clothing and style. When I spoke to him, he said that Celine is having a lot of fun with her new looks and style, and he loves working with her.
Celine pointed out that she doesn’t keep performing because she has to. My favorite quote from the press conference: “I am doing this job because I love it. At a younger age, it was because I had to prove myself to the industry. But now I don’t have to do it, and because I don’t have to, I want to.”
You can tell Celine loves what she does whether she’s onstage or off. She is always happy to stop and talk with fans, take a photo, sign an autograph. She is happy to answer questions. She has nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and I think the best is yet to come in her career.
Celine reflected on Rene’s death: “I’m really doing well. I guess if I’m fine, my kids are fine. If my kids are fine, I’m fine, and that’s the most important thing. I’m doing good. The kids are doing good.
“The last time that we saw each other, it was under very sad circumstances. I’m very happy to be here. I received all your kind words, your memories, all that positive energy. It’s time to smile and think of great memories.
“I stand strong for today and for my kids, for myself and what’s to come for tomorrow. Rene gave everything to me and wonderful children on top of the rest of my journey. I loved him too much to see him suffer the way he did the past three years. His final days were very difficult. I am grateful that this part of his life is over. The future is before you, and everything is possible.”
Her 14-piece orchestra, five-piece brass section and three backup singers show was completely different than the one at Caesars. There were 30 songs on the setlist, most in French-Canadian with eight in English, including “Because You Loved Me,” “The Power of Love,” “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and a homage to Prince. She closed with her cover of Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” and three encores.
Celine returns here in time for the Aug. 26 release of her album “Encore Un Soir” and resumes her Caesars residency Sept. 20.
