"I missed you": Celine Dion opened her comeback concert series

Celine Dion opened her comeback concert series tonight (Saturday) at the "Plenitude Arena" in Nanterre, in the suburbs of Paris, for the first time since 2020. Dion thanked the audience for their support and patience over the years, and noted her commitment to singing live for her fans and for herself. Her arrival in Paris about two weeks ago was accompanied by extensive media coverage. As part of the preparations, the metro station near the concert hall was renamed "Celine" and decorated with lyrics from her songs. Hundreds of fans gathered in recent days outside the "Royal Monceau" hotel where she is staying. Dion's performances are seen as having a significant potential economic impact on the French economy. Radio station Europe 1 estimated that the series could generate revenues of about one billion euros — four times higher than the revenues from Beyoncé's shows in Paris expected next year, and about a fifth of the revenues generated by the Paris 2024 Olympics. The current residency consists of 26 sold-out shows, taking place in two parts — the first from today until October 17, and the second from May 8 to 29. About 60% of the setlist is based on Dion's French-language repertoire, mainly songs written and composed by Jean-Jacques Goldman. Meanwhile, rumors have circulated about a possible guest appearance by Beyoncé. In 2022, Dion revealed she was diagnosed with "Stiff Person Syndrome," and her battle with the disease was documented in the film "I Am: Celine Dion" released in 2024. Shortly after, Dion made her first return to the stage when she participated in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.