Music Céline Dion releases celebrated "L'Hymne À L'Amour"

Canadian singer Céline Dion releases her celebrated version of the love anthem "L'Hymne à l'amour" by French chanson icon Édith Piaf on streaming platforms. She chose a significant date for this - the anniversary of Piaf's death.

Céline Dion closed the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in July with a spectacular performance on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Her interpretation of "L'Hymne à l'amour" moved the audience to tears. It was also a tribute to Piaf. The French singer died on October 10, 1963 at the age of just 48.

Dion's performance in Paris was her first live appearance since her serious neurological illness became known. The international star had announced in 2022 that she was suffering from stiff person syndrome. The disease can lead to muscle spasms anywhere in the body, causing her hands or feet to freeze, for example. She had problems walking and singing. At the time, the singer canceled all dates of her "Courage World Tour" in Europe. For a long time, it was questionable whether she would ever be able to perform again.

Performance on the Eiffel Tower

Dion then stood on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower in a glittering silver-white dress. Full of fervor, she sang Piaf's iconic hymn to love, accompanied by a pianist. "I am honored to have performed tonight at the opening ceremony of Paris 2024," Dion wrote afterwards on the X platform, "and I am thrilled to be back in one of my favorite cities."

The five-time Grammy winner, who rose to global stardom in the 90s and set several records with the Titanic theme song "My Heart Will Go On", spoke about her life with the rare autoimmune disease in a TV interview in June. She described the severe cramps in her throat as feeling like being strangled. She fights the disease with physiotherapy, vocal training and medication.