Love at first song with Celine Dion
Written by: Anna Pangalanan
The woman on the stage has a voice like that of a muse-- cold and smooth, that which prompts a divine outpouring of sounds that stir the soul.
A closer look though would reveal that she is not an ethereal being, but still very much God's blessing to humankind-- the timeless Celine Dion, whose powerful voice filled every corner of Mall of Asia Arena last July 19 and 20.
After years of waiting, Dion was able to hold a concert in the Philippines, a two-day extravaganza filled with visual and aural treats. This is also the first time that the songstress visited the country, and it looks like it won't be the last after experiencing a warm Filipino welcome.
In 2014, Dion canceled her tour in the Philippines to take care of her husband-manager, Rene Angelil, who was then battling cancer. He passed away in 2016. Days after his death, one of Dion’s brothers also succumbed to cancer.
“Don't ask me why I took so long. Maybe because I lived far away,” she jokingly said.
And on a more serious tone, she added, “You have been supporting me for nearly three decades. It’s either you are crazy or extraordinary.”
Powerhouse performance
Dion’s performance can be likened to an offering of some sort, a worthy gift to those who braved the traffic and torrential rain just to see and hear her sing live.
Clad in a golden suit, Dion kickstarted her concert in front of 20,000 fans with hit songs like “That’s the Way It Is”, “Because You Loved Me,” and “I’m Your Lady.”
Before going all out with the whole concert program, Dion set the viewers’ mood. The night, she said, belongs to the audience.
“Tonight it’s your music, this is your concert. It’s all about you. And I want you to have the best time ever. Let’s have some fun together,” she enthused with a big smile
She then continued belting out songs such as “Beauty and the Beast” from the Disney movie of the same title; “Ashes,” the theme song from the movie “Deadpool 2” complete with a hilarious side story; the classic “Think Twice”; and “Falling Into You” complemented with a short sexy dance number.
She would do shimmies here and there, but Dion would always return to the slow songs that show the strength and integrity of her voice. The Canadian singer’s repertoire included “Recovering” which Dion said was a gift from a fellow artist Pink, given during the toughest moment of her life; followed by the hit song “All By Myself”; her own version of Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen”; and “Unison” which was accompanied by a string quartet.
Dion’s energy is notable. As the hours went on, so did her arias, but there was never a moment of hesitation in her voice or a sign of weariness in her step. Her short breaks are usually for wardrobe changes. The performer gave her 100 percent, and perhaps that is the strongest reason there was no dull moment in that two and a half hour concert.
There was no need for magical tricks or smokes and mirrors for Dion. At her most inspired form, her very essence filled the room with her voice and presence. Yes, that lithe, statuesque blonde woman standing on the stage owned the whole arena, so much so that there was no difference whether the audience was sitting on the VIP area or the general admission seats. Through her powerful performance, she gave everyone a piece of herself, to cherish and to hold.
As a seasoned artist, Dion also knows the power of aesthetics. She herself was beautiful all throughout the concert. Her stage design is also worth mentioning. Before the concert started, Dion’s stage design seemed simple, with a few dancing lights, a big space for the band and Celine, and an LED screen behind.
But, oh, when the concert started, all stage elements came into being. There was a show of lights, which danced with Celine’s high and low notes and the screen lit up with various images that transported the audience into different worlds.
What remaining space was filled with Dion, and she did it with so much bravado, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Needless to say, the concert is very Instagrammable, lights, sounds, and all.
Saying goodbye
Saying goodbye to Dion was bittersweet. The hours passed by so fast, and before everyone knew it, it was time for the last song of the night.
The whole audience was breathing with anticipation for Dion’s iconic “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song of the tragic movie, “Titanic.” When Dion started to sing, it was as if the heavens opened, leaving the audience in awe. It was all too much, really, for the viewers. After the last note was hit, it is safe to say that everyone stood up to give her the standing ovation that she deserves.
Last song
But the crowd was not ready to let her go. Before the program drew to a close, the audience asked for an encore, and expressed, for the last time, their love for the singer.
When shouts of “We love you,” echoed throughout the whole arena, Dion knew she could not just turn her back and leave.
She replied, with tears in her eyes, “Let me show you how much I love you in my own way.” And without any accompaniment, she serenaded the crowd like she would a lover with Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
If only the space between the audience and Dion is surmountable, perhaps the crowd would whisper back, “we have rushed in, and we, too, can’t help falling in love with you.”
Thank you and congratulations to Ovation Productions for making Celine Dion LIVE in Manila possible!