Posted on 09/30/2001 3:25:28 PM PDT by TLBSHOW
MONTREAL, Sept 28 (AFP) -
Canadian pop diva Celine Dion appeared on stage for the first time in nearly two years Friday at a benefit concert for families of the victims of the US terror attacks.
French-Canadian Dion led other Quebec-born singing stars in the tribute in Montreal, the first time she has appeared before an audience since she temporarily gave up show business in December 1999.
Dion, who gave birth to her first child eight months ago, was applauded by the 12,000-strong audience at the Forum de Montreal ice hockey stadium as she belted out her single song, "L'Amour existe encore," or "Love still exists."
The enthralled audience waved small white flags and the US stars and stripes flag.
A week earlier Dion had sung "God Bless America" during the telethon organized by the major US television networks, but there was no live audience and even the venue of the broadcast was kept secret.
Some 200 Canadian artists, including members of the world renowned "Cirque du Soleil", and singers Lara Fabian and Diane Dufresne took part in the five-hour telethon entitled: "Quebec-New York, a show for life."
All proceeds from the spectacle will go to the American Red Cross to help the families of the victims of the airborne terror attacks that have left more than 6,000 people dead or missing in the United States.
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