From March 15, 2011 to July 29, 2014, Celine Dion gives the first version of her show "Celine" in residence at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Announcement
In 2009, after the "Taking Chances" world tour which lasted almost two years, Celine decided to take an indefinite hiatus to expand her family. During this period, she received several in vitro fertilizations which proved unsuccessful. It is after the sixth in vitro fertilization that she finally becomes pregnant.
In February 2010, on the set of Oprah Winfrey, she officially announced her return to Las Vegas without specifying an official date. On October 23, she gives birth to Eddy and Nelson. Céline can finally plan her comeback.
After having shifted it three times, the premiere of the show is officially announced for March 15, 2011.
Rehearsals in Florida
Just twelve weeks after the twins were born on January 18, 2011, rehearsals kick off in West Palm Beach, Florida. Céline hasn't sung on stage for months and René has a little apprehension. But barely after hearing the first verses of the song "Open Arms", René is reassured.
During rehearsals, Céline tests the different songs planned for the show. During the first rehearsal, she repeats in particular "Open Arms", the medley "Michael Jackson", "Ne me quitte pas". During the second rehearsal, Céline cries on singing "Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)".
On January 20, Annie Horth went to Celine's house in Florida to try on stage costumes. Annie Horth is accompanied by Sebastiana Zaffelon (Premier Atelier, Armani Privé), Lucio Di Rosa and Luigi Massi, from Ateliers Versace.
Rehearsals in Las Vegas
On February 16, 2011, Celine arrives in Las Vegas. In front of Caesars Palace, thousands of people are gathered to welcome him. Céline and her family will stay in one of the hotel's suites for the first few weeks.
On February 21, Céline discovers the new stage and she rehearses with the 31 musicians. The rehearsals last until 1:15 am. Over the next few days, Celine continues rehearsals, as well as fittings with Annie Horth. Even on the evening of March 5, the day of Nelson and Eddy's baptism, Celine still performs rehearsals.
Premiere
March 15, 2011 is finally the big night. Maman Dion, Céline's brothers and sisters, Céline's aunt and René-Charles are present. We also note the presence of many Quebec stars like Julie Snyder and Véronic DiCaire.
The show begins with a video that goes back in time from the last of "A New Day ..." until her family return to Vegas in February 2011. Celine appears in a mermaid-shaped dress and kicks off the show with the song "Open Arms" in front of a large white curtain. During the chorus, the curtain suddenly falls and the 31 musicians appear to the surprise of the spectators. It was Celine's idea.
Set List
- Open Arms,
- Where Does My Heart Beat Now,
- Because You Loved Me,
- Medley: It's All Coming Back to Me Now/The Power of Love,
- (If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini),
- Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel),
- The Reason,
- Medley: Goldfinger/Nobody Does It Better/Live and Let Die,
- Spinning Wheel (Performance by Barnev Valsaint),
- How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (Virtual duet with herself),
- Overjoyed (Duet avec Stevie Wonder),
- At Seventeen,
- Beauty and the Beast (Duet with Barnev Valsaint),
- Ne me quitte pas,
- All By Myself,
- Medley: Ben/Man in the Mirror/I Just Can't Stop Loving You (Tribute to Michael Jackson),
- Medley: Declaration of Love/Love Can Move Mountains/River Deep, Mountain High,
- My Heart Will Go On
Modifications
- During 2012, the song "Declaration of Love" is withdrawn,
- On June 9, 2012, the medley tribute to Michael Jackson was replaced by a cover of Adele, "Rolling In The Deep",
- On December 31, 2012, to celebrate the New Year, Céline sang "A Song For You",
- On August 31, 2013, Céline sang her new song, "Loved Me Back To Life", instead of "Rolling In The Deep",
- Between 2011 and 2013, during the winter period, "Overjoyed" is replaced by "The Prayer" (virtual duet with Andrea Bocelli),
- On February 18, 2014, "Loved Me Back To Life" gave way to "Incredible" (Duet with Barnev Valsaint),
- On June 17, 2014, Céline replaced "Ne me quitte pas" with "Pour que tu m'aimes encore",
- On July 29, 2014, Celine Dion gives her last concert before taking a break to take care of René.
Crew
- Stage director: Ken Ehrlich
- Lights: Yves Aucoin
- Tour director: Denis Savage
- Musical director, piano: Claude "Mégo" Lemay,
- Drums: Dominique Messier,
- Bass: Marc Langis,
- Guitars: André Coutu,
- Keyboards: Yves Frulla,
- Percussion: Paul Picard,
- Chorist & Tin whistle: Élise Duguay,
- Backing vocalists: Barnev Valsaint, Dawn Cumberbatch,
- Violins: Jean Sebastien Carré, Philippe Dunnigan, Jenny Elfving, Laraine Kaizer, Rebecca Ramsey, Svetlin Belneev, Lisa Dondlinger, Lenka Hajkova, John Arnold, De Ann Letourneau,
- Viola: Jerome Gordon, Kaila Potts, Dmitri Kourka,
- Cellos: Lindsey Springer, Raymond Sicam III, Irina Chirkova, Judy Kang, Élise Duguay,
- Woods: Eric Tewalt, Philip Wigfall,
- Trumpets: Matt Fronke, Kurt Evanson, Nico Edgerman, Donald Lorice,
- Trombones: Daniel Falcone, Nathan Tanouye
