"Let's Talk About My Love for
the
Millennium Concert of
Celine Dion December 31st 1999"
Finally the big day arrived. I was very enthusiastic, because this night
would,
take place the biggest event for Celine Dion fans; but on the other hand, I
was
also melancholic
because this would be the last time we were going to see
Celine live
(I mean,
"Real Live" and not on a videotape)
for the next two years.
I put away my sad feelings as I approached the Molson Center. A
big poster was
hanging on one wall of the "Home of Canadian hockey players". A countdown
clock counted the hours and minutes which was separating us from the passing
of the new symbolic year 2000. Now only 5 hours and 25 minutes to go as I
entered the gigantic concert hall. At my entrance, someone told me that I had
to show my concert ticket to receive a plastic sack filled with different
Celine Dion memorabilia. Included in this was a little bottle of Champaign along
with a Champaign glass with Celine's logo on front and a beautiful effigy
of Celine entoured by her special guests on the reverse side, a blue lightning
stick, carnival like stuff along with a hat and a very beautiful and practical
daykeeper filled with pictures of Celine.
Before going into the concert hall I had to buy some things made
especially
for that concert, for different Celine fans who asked me to buy them
something. I bought many beautiful black T-shirts representing Celine's
CD sleeve of "That's The Way It Is" on the front and on the back which was
written in gold "Montreal 31 December 1999". At the shop stand I thought
there would be much more special things but all the other articles & things
were already available during her concert in Brussels on the 16th of June/99.
But those little "faults" weren't going to make my evening bad!!! Then I
had to hurry to my seats because the opening acts were about to begin.
The Canadian humorist Rousseau had a big task upon him. The crowd was
ready for Celine's appearance to open the special evening. He entertained
us for about half an hour and left the stage for other well known talents
in Canada and French speaking Europe. There was the singers from the
"Notre Dame de Paris" musical that sang songs that made Luc Plamondon
and Richard Cocciante famous. Then Bruno Pelletier sang the opening act to
"Le temps des cathédrales". Garou came on stage to sing "Les cloches"
and
left the stage for "Etre prêtre et aimer une femme" which was sung by
Daneil Lavoie. Then they all came out together to sing the most famous song
of this musical "Belle". After this they each sang one song. It was really
entertaining, but the BEST was yet to come. The speakers then announced that
Celine was going to be on stage in 15 minutes. The crowd cheered.
Those 15 minutes seemed to last an eternity! Finally she came on stage,
and
looked wonderful, enchaining us with the Titanic hit "My heart will go on".
Everyone put on their blue lighting stick & was waving it. It looked like we really
were carrying by the waves. What a magic moment. Celine was really impressed by the
ovation she received after that song. (She will receive MANY MANY more afterwards)
She followed with "Destin" and lead us to a song she dedicated to Rene. Frank
Sinatra
appeared virtually on the big screens and together they sang "All The Way".
After
this she interpreted my favorite song from her new compilation album. "The
First
Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was very breathtaking!! Then she offered us a little
gift (again & again) a little medley was presented grouping her very first song
"Ce n'était qu'un rêve" mixed up with "Mon ami m'a quittée" and
Ziggy.
and other songs from the earlier years.
After this she said she had the honor in her career of singing but her love
for music grew each time when she could share her passion with other singers.
She talked about her numerous duets. She confided in us & offered her & us a
great gift. The singers of "Notre Dame de Paris" came on stage again & each
one
sang a duet with Celine. Garou began to sing the song originally done with R. Kelly of
"I'm you Angel". Then came Daniel Lavoie to sing "When I fall in
Love".
Bruno Pelletier followed with "Le blues du businessman" & then it was the
tour of Luck Mervil. He belted out "Jirai où tu iras". After this great
interlude
Mego made great signs. Celine looked at him as he was touching his watch.
Only 10 minutes to go to 2000! Celine's last song for this millennium was a song
she considered as being the most beautiful French song she received from
Luc Plamondon. She magically interpreted "L'amour existe encore".
Emotion went high as Rene came on stage... Everyone began to the countdown
5...4...3...2...1... 2000!!! Fireworks lighted up the scene. Balloons and
confetti
were falling from the roof. We heard "So this is Xmas". The fiesta wasn't
going to end yet!
Celine reappeared from the crowd on stage and said
(a tentative for tradition)
"After this century which just ended, and as we look behind us, we see many magical
moments, but too much misfortunes! The year 2000 has just arrived. We must build,
for all the children in the world, from today on, a century of peace, justice, liberty and
love..."
Now she "introduced" us to her friend (she was very glad he accepted her
invitation)
Bryan Adams which sang some of his famous songs. Celine came back on stage
in another "dress" to perform some duets with him. After a few duets, she was
back
"alone" on stage and sang this time the English version of the song
"Vivre"
(from the Notre Dame de Paris" musical): "Live". Then came up-tempo-songs
like
"Love can move mountains". She continued with "Pour que tu m'aimes
encore".
After this song, she received a more or less 9 minute standing ovation.
It seems like little tears were appearing in the corners of her eyes. After this
"break" she thanked us very much and said "ll va falloir se redonner
rendez-vous"
(= We'll have to meet each other again") Then came the "take your
handkerchief"
songs: "S'il suffisait d'aimer", "The Power Of Love".
She finished with "All By Myself" and went real high with her voice
(all the fans are already familiar with this song). Tears ran over my face. Snif...
The crowd was cheering, making noise, clapping their hands, stamping with their feet on
the floor...
She came back, dressed in a purple fushia outfit, saying "Encore une chanson; une
seule".
She said I will now close with the song that my mother had written nearly twenty years
ago.
The notes of "Ce n'etait qu'un rêve" were the last ones we heard.
She thanked her public, waved with her hand, descended the stairs from the
stage and went backstage. The lights went on... The songbird left us: the dream is over...
No it isn't, like Kathy already mentioned, We'll always hear from her;
she is present in our hearts, we can hear her on the radio, in the cinema,
see her on videotapes... Celine is with us for
"All The Way"...
Thanks
Marc |
