Celine Dion bids emotional farewell to Las Vegas

BEIJING, Dec. 17(Xinhuanet) -- Celine Dion has ended her run of live shows in Las Vegas with an emotional performance, according to media reports Monday.

The Canadian singer finished her residency at Caesars Palace hotel on Saturday to rapturous applause from the audience after interspersing her songs with tearful messages to the crowd.

The show, entitled "A New Day," opened to poor reviews in March 2003, but went on to gross more than 400 million U.S. dollars and was seen by nearly three million fans.

In reality, she's taking a couple of months off, then embarking on a world tour. Dion will likely return to Vegas too; she's keeping her home near the city.

But with her gale-force voice and unflagging faith in big emotions, Dion is the queen of going over whatever top presents itself. This finale was a Matterhorn.

Singing and dancing, Dion moved across the massive stage like an ice skater or a runway model, each step stylized to make her look huge. Even her tears were flowery, like a silent film star's. But her words were down to earth.

The superdiva told the audience the show wasn't easy at first but she was determined to make it work.

She said, "At one point, it was like feeling like the Titanic was about to sink again. But we believed and we went on with it. Even though the vibe was not that positive for us."

Bette Midler will be taking Dion's place at Caesars Palace with "The Showgirl Must Go On" -- due to open on Feb. 20.

(Agencies)

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Canadian pop diva Celine Dion will perform a new song, "I Knew I Loved You," at this year's Academy Awards during a tribute to Italian legendary composer Ennio Morricone, media reported Thursday.

Morricone will be receiving an honorary Oscar at the Feb. 25 ceremony for lifetime achievement.