JUNE 16, 1999 - BOUDEWIJNSTADIUM

* Céline Dion’s concert at Belgium was the second in row (after the one at the Netherlands) out of her European tour after 6 earlier countries had been removed from the original program.  The reason for this was the alarming condition of her sick husband René Angelil, who is being treated for skin cancer (more information about René’s disease at the coverage pages of April, May and June).  Céline told the audience that René’s actual condition is good and that he could follow the event - while drinking a glass - live from his seat in Florida.
* Curtain-raisers were a Canadian voice-imitator (André-Philippe Gagnon) and a group playing music of the Latino genre (lead singer: Dany Brillant).

* Céline kept the audience waiting until 21h45 when she ascended from a rising black box upon the centrally placed stage (revealing the shape of a heart which functioned as a reminder to "Le Coeur De La Mer" from Titanic) wearing a white angel-like robe with a lot of glitter.  The press says there were about 55 000 people present at this concert which lasted until approximately 23h30.  Her second outfit was a silver suit very much like the golden one she was wearing during her former concert here.

* Here’s the ordered list of the songs she performed:

- Let’s Talk About Love
- Dans Un Autre Monde
- Je Sais Pas
- The Reason
- Tell Him
- Je Crois Toi
- To Love You More (with Taro Hakase)
- Treat Her Like A Lady
- Terre
- J’Irais Où Tu Iras
- S’Il Suffisait D’Aimer
- On Ne Change Pas
- I’m Your Angel
- The Power of Love
- Ce N’Etait Qu’Un Rêve
- D’Amour Ou D’Amitié
- Mon Ami M’A Quittée
- L’Amour Existe Encore
- Ziggy
- Love Can Move Mountains
- Stayin’ Alive
- You Should Be Dancing (danced by Céline)
- Twist And Shout
- Pour Que Tu M’Aimes Encore
- My Heart Will Go On

* Looking at the above list you’ll certainly have noticed that Céline chose to sing many songs in French, which is of course explained by the fact that Belgium is a bilingual country (well, actually, trilingual to be exact).  "French", Céline claimed "is the most beautiful language one can use when it comes down to love songs."  It’s also obvious that she opted to do quite a few somewhat calmer songs.  Although Céline couldn’t hide her features of sorrow and concern for her husband René from the true fan, she proved herself to be a very plucky woman with an entourage once again emphasizing the ‘genuineness’ of her image.

* Stimulated by what I call a great light show, she was – as always – musically supported by:
 » her band:
 

Claude "Mego" Lemay conductor / keyboards
Yves Frulla  keyboards
Andre Coutu guitar
Marc Langis bass guitar
Dominique Messier drums
Paul Picard percussion

» her back up vocalists:
 

Barnev Valsaint*
Elise Duguay
Julie Leblanc
* in replacement of Terry Bradford
her second family…

* More pictures of this event at the picture gallery!


click here for more info about the previous concert in Brussels on June 20, 1997