The China Mail - Celine Dion poised for long-awaited return to stage in Paris

The 58-year-old French Canadian singer was to perform her first full concert in six years, marking a major milestone in her comeback after Stiff Person Syndrome forced her to cancel shows and left her struggling to sing.

Around 30,000 fans flocked to the Plenitude Arena on the western edge of the French capital for the sold-out opening night of Dion's 26-show run.

The largely female crowd sported sequined dresses and tops, glittered cheeks, and T-shirts emblazoned with the star's image or nods to her biggest hits.

"It's unreal to be here!," said Elisabeth Landry, a 38-year-old Quebecer who lives near the star's hometown of Charlemagne.

"I was convinced we'd never see her again, especially not embarking on a run of concerts like this."

The show's setlist has been kept under wraps.

Just hours before, one of the best-selling singers of all time greeted admirers outside her luxury hotel a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe.

The cheering crowd chanted "Celine! Celine!", as the beaming star blew kisses and made a heart shape with her hands.

- 'She's happy' -

Albertina Cabral, a fan from Sao Paulo, said she could barely put her feelings into words.

"It's unbelievable to stay here and to go to the concert and to see Celine so close," she said outside the hotel. "And she's feeling good, she's happy."

The French capital spared no effort in welcoming Dion, drawing thousands of fans from across the world, including some who flew in from as far away as the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.

For days Paris played host to costume contests, giant karaoke parties and tribute cruises on the Seine.

On Friday, the iconic cauldron rose above the Tuileries Garden, echoing the diva's surprise appearance up the Eiffel Tower to perform "Hymn to Love" by Edith Piaf during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

A lyric from the song, "I'd go and fetch the moon if you asked me to", along with the singer's first name, was projected in big letters onto the balloon.

"Paris is just as magical as ever," Dion said on Instagram.

The suburban train station serving the arena has been temporarily renamed "Celine."

- 'Iconic' -

Chloe and Katy Rydquist, who travelled from London, had spent around £1,500 ($2,000) on their tickets, saying Dion's return to the stage justified the cost.

"She's a legend, she's iconic," said Chloe.

Nicolas Hyvert, a member of Dion's fan club, the Red Heads, said he hoped she enjoyed being back on stage.

"That's always been where she's happiest," he said, sporting the club's signature red cap.

The star's residency is projected to generate hundreds of millions of euros in economic benefits.

She kicks off her 26-date residency with 16 sold-out shows in September and October, before returning for another 10 next May.

Fans who missed out on tickets have found other ways to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Dion has regularly stepped outside the Royal Monceau hotel to greet waiting fans, at times breaking into song and dance with them well into the early hours.

On Friday, hundreds turned out for a free singalong in the city's northeast, swaying and warbling along to some of Dion's best-known tunes.

Over her four-decade career, Dion has sold around 260 million albums in English and French, with hits including "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" and "Because You Loved Me".

- 'I'm ready' -

Dion's return caps a remarkable journey back to the stage after years of uncertainty over whether she would perform again.

In December 2022, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare and incurable autoimmune disorder that can cause severe muscle stiffness and agonising spasms.

Dion has described the condition as making her feel as though she is being strangled, with cramps so intense they have left her with broken ribs.

The illness forced her to cancel concerts, but Dion remained determined to perform again.

In 2024, she spelt out her ambitions for a full comeback.

"I'm going to come onstage because I'm ready," she told NBC at the time.

O.Tse--ThChM