'Céline sur les plaines' concert for Québec's 400th anniversary, 8-22-2008

[Mozinha]

I see both sides of the story and I'm happy Rene is out there standing up for them. No one works for free. I wouldn't do it for free. She deserves the same payment as others will have.

[Celinenvegas]

So this 400th Anniversary celebration is gonna be outside on Dec 31st? It's gonna be damn cold, way to

cold for Celine to perform a full show.

 

Yeah, I don't understand the connection between U2 and Qubec - I guess someone on the committee

just likes them or something. I do think Celine should do it for the people of Quebec but she should

be compensated and not taken advantage of.

 

[ZoraSourit]

That is quite insulting! Go René!

[LVCeline]

Hm. I understand where he's coming from, but I would think that Celine being from there would not want to accept money for performing a concert of such occassion. I don't know that it should be all about the money in this case. I don't think that U2 is worth any more than Celine, and they are both international superstars, so if they're going to pay for U2, then they should give Celine the same. I kind of get both sides.

[brasilero]

I think that government is quite smart when it comes to saving a buck, they will have a kick #ss show with U2 even if Céline is not there, they are HUGE, even more so than Céline. And if Céline is not there it will hurt HER image to abandon their fans and town. I understand it is business, but that is not how local people will see it, it will look as if Céline turned her back on them and the organization people know that so they kinda have Rene by the *you know what*. Céline should do it for free, not because she can't get paid, but bc she cannot win this one.

what Celine should do is to pull out of all agreements with these people and get a new production and have a special free show for the people of Quebec. that way she can keep her dignity and say "i dont play by your rules" hahah.. and she will still have the people on her side

Edited May 24, 2007 at 05:36 AM by brasilero

[tal-sh2]

Agree!

[Céline's Blues]

Exclusivement, Céline

 

Nathalie Petrowski

 

Parfois, c'est à se demander si René Angélil ne fait pas exprès. Exprès de ne pas comprendre. Exprès d'entendre ce qu'il veut bien entendre.

 

L'affaire est pourtant simple. La Ville de Québec va bientôt avoir 400 ans. Elle a décidé de fêter ça en grand avec l'aide d'une poignée de ses plus prestigieux artistes. Comme ce n'est pas tous les jours que Québec a 400 ans, le comité organisateur des festivités a demandé aux artistes choisis une création inédite, quelque chose de spécial, de nouveau et d'exclusif.

 

L'homme de théâtre Robert Lepage a accepté d'emblée malgré un horaire plus chargé qu'un premier ministre et un carnet de commandes qui court jusqu'à l'an 3000. Franco Dragone, un autre monsieur qui n'est pas précisément au chômage et qui multiplie les mises en scène à Vegas comme ailleurs, a accepté lui aussi de concocter, avec le Cirque du Soleil, un spectacle inédit et exclusif au 400e.

 

Mais lorsque le comité organisateur s'est tourné vers René Angélil pour que Céline Dion participe aux célébrations dans le même esprit d'innovation et de création que Lepage et Dragone, le mot exclusif a subitement changé de sens, du moins aux oreilles et pour l'ego de René. Au lieu d'être une promesse et une main tendue vers l'aventure et le dépassement artistique, le mot exclusif est devenue une insulte, un mot drapé de mépris et de condescendance, une formule empruntée pour soi-disant cracher sur le talent de Céline et signifier qu'on la tenait pour acquise.

 

«Comment ça notre spectacle n'est pas assez exclusif!» a rugi René avant d'affirmer que le show de tournée qu'il était prêt à offrir à Québec avait été créé EXCLUSIVEMENT pour la France, la Suisse, la Belgique et Montréal. Pas assez exclusif? Qu'est-ce qu'il vous faut!

 

Dans sa rage et son humiliation, René semble oublier la définition même du mot exclusif : un mot qui exclut tout partage et toute reproduction. Que l'on soit à Paris, Genève ou Québec, le mot exclusif porte en lui le germe d'une unicité qui peut s'appliquer aussi bien au monde de l'art qu'à un monde que Céline connaît encore mieux : celui du vêtement.

 

Aussi lorsque Céline s'achète une robe Chanel sur laquelle il est écrit modèle unique, je doute qu'elle apprécierait de croiser, un soir de gala, une chanteuse portant le même modèle exclusif qu'elle.

 

N'en déplaise à René, l'exclusivité n'est pas un concept vague et élastique que l'on peut apprêter à toutes les sauces et au gré de ses humeurs.

 

De la même manière, le 400e de Québec n'est pas un événement comme les autres. Et même si cet événement ne fera pas ressusciter Elvis, il n'en demeure pas moins que nous parlons ici du fondement même de notre histoire collective. Nous parlons de la naissance du Nouveau Monde. Nous parlons de l'anniversaire d'une des plus vieilles villes d'Amérique du Nord. Nous parlons d'une fête historique, symbolique et... entièrement subventionnée.

 

Or, dès l'instant où un événement est financé par les fonds publics, ce ne sont pas les mêmes critères qui s'appliquent. On ne peut pas faire n'importe quoi et encore moins, n'importe où.

 

Il y a un an lors des premières démarches entreprises par les gens du 400e auprès de l'entourage de Céline, deux moments forts avaient été proposés à la chanteuse : soit un spectacle extérieur le 31 décembre 2007 pour marquer le début officiel des festivités, soit le 3 juillet 2008 sur les plaines d'Abraham. À l'époque, il n'était pas encore question d'une tournée internationale pour Céline. Lorsque cette tournée est devenue une réalité, les deux dates proposées par Québec ne faisaient plus l'affaire. Qu'à cela ne tienne, Québec a alors offert à Céline de chanter sur les plaines d'Abraham en août. De cette manière, Céline devenait un cadeau offert à tous les habitants de Québec, trop heureux de lui faire la fête sur LEURS plaines, avec l'argent de LEURS impôts.

 

Mais pour une raison aussi confuse qu'obscure, la proposition n'a pas été retenue. En lieu et place, René Angélil a proposé que Céline chante un soir au Colisée Pepsi. On s'entend qu'au plan de la symbolique, les plaines d'Abraham et le Colisée Pepsi, n'ont pas tout à fait la même valeur.

 

Sur les plaines d'Abraham, Céline s'inscrit dans l'Histoire. Au Colisée Pepsi, elle s'inscrit dans l'économie de marché. Sur les plaines, le spectacle est gratuit et peut rassembler plus de 200 000 personnes. Au Colisée Pepsi, le spectacle est payant et peut à peine accueillir 15 000 spectateurs.

 

Bref, l'un est un événement démocratique et rassembleur qui justifie amplement une subvention. L'autre est un événement commercial, qui ne rassemble que ceux qui en ont les moyens et qui ne justifie pas qu'on y investisse la moindre cenne en fonds publics. C'est pourtant simple, non? Levez la main ceux qui ont compris. Maintenant est-ce que l'un d'entre vous pourrait aller l'expliquer à René...

 

Even if Petrowski hates Céline's music she always had respect towards her and René. This time she got it quite right when questioning why René rejected the two offers the commity made. One of them was a free concert for about 200.000 viewers, open air in SUMMER. René wanted her to perform for a paid audience of 15.000 in a closed hall.

 

This situation only shows how bitter and money horny René is. Buisnessman who cares about money and profit of his mechanical product in first place. He doesn't seem to see the other side of the medal.

 

One radical solution would bee indeed for her, to give a free concert on her ow without the logo of the Quebec commitee! But as René is all about money and copy rights, he will in no way do that!

 

Another thing is that with the recent attacks of Quebec journalists - about playback on the special and now about this issue with the commitee this gives René a good slap! Surely not as hard as he would deserve but surely a hard enough one to THINK and CONTEMPLATE about his course of action.

Edited May 25, 2007 at 03:49 PM by Céline's Blues

[Love,]

Okay, now this gets juicier doesn't it?

 

Celine and Rene gets requests left and right for all kinds of projects, performances and collaborations.

They've been doing this for 26 years.

 

I'm sure there are many reasons, more than what is reveled in a subjective report by Petrowski.

 

The community is "normally" wanting something for free. This is with all communities.

Free concerts are not always a success.

When people hear about a "free" concert, they don't feel like they are obligated to go - they didn't buy a ticket in the first place.

What if they have this free concert, and only a handful of people go?

Would this be an embarrassment for one of the world's most unique artists?

 

Having 200,000 people attend your show would be nice, but who can guarantee that 200,000 people will go?

Will the government of Quebec sign a contract with Rene and Celine that they will mobilize 200,000 by passing a decree that such and such date will be "Celine Dion Day: All Quebecers must attend the Free Celine Dion Concert" ? (By the way, I am aware that Quebec has a population of 5.15 million people)

 

And now, I am going to flip the coin:

If Celine and Rene accepts the offer of doing of this concert for people of Quebec as a gift, this will be an event of great historical and national significance, and Celine would be best befitting to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and be declared,

Dame Celine Dion

 

And I have a question: Who are the organizers of the 400th Anniversary of Quebec? Which sector of the government?

Edited May 25, 2007 at 04:20 PM by Love,

[Davey84]

If it was for a charity then I'd say René shut up and let Céline sing.. the good PR will give $$$$ in return... but if U2... which isn't even a canadian band, gets paid, then I'd say go René!

 

Eventhough Céline might be obligated in some way to the people of Quebec, she can't just go and give a free concert... it's not that simple I guess... and Sophoan is right, who will be sure that 200.000 people will come? although if Céline was giving a free concert.. i'd be the first to go!

[Mozinha]

I'll say the same I said before: no one works for free. If you can choose between two honest options, you can always chose the one who pays better. It's a choice you have and if it's a honest thing I don't see how it can be criticized. These are business, people.

[Cheerfuljane]

It's all down to the principle of the matter - You can't offer to pay for one and not for the other

 

I laugh U2 now go and say "OK we'll do it for free"

[celinerific]

They just assume they can get free concerts from someone like Celine?!

I totally agree with René on this... it's so insulting! It's CELINE. I don't think they understand that term. Well, let me define it for them.

 

Celine Dion

Definition: One of the most well-know, popular, and most talented artists known to mankind.

A national treasure... free concerts not allowed (before mail in rebate or after mail in rebate... meaning: not at all)!

 

Not exactly accurate or formal, but I think I've made my point.

 

If Quebec, HER OWN PEOPLE, can't scoop out a few bucks to see her... she might as well not go. It's utterly disrepectful towards her.

And that condlues my little ramble... Celine should come to Toronto... We are not cheap people.. I'll tell ya. People pay to see odd things, and they'll pay a hell of a lot of $$$$$$ to see dear Celine.

And one last thought...

 

SHAME ON THEM!

Edited May 25, 2007 at 08:07 PM by celinerific

[JP]

Another thing is that with the recent attacks of Quebec journalists - about playback on the special and now about this issue with the commitee this gives René a good slap! Surely not as hard as he would deserve but surely a hard enough one to THINK and CONTEMPLATE about his course of action.

I'm sorry but i'm on the side of the woman.. René just don't understand.. No one cares about a show in a Colisé for the anniversary.. I think it would be cool to do a outdoor show.. Because it's the 400th of Quebec, it's pretty huge and it's a part of our history.. But they don't want to Celine to sing for free, they just can't pay 400 000 to 1 million because they use the money of people and they are not producer, they can't do that.. At first they ask for a outdoor show, it was ok but when René plan to do a tour, it was the tour or nothing and i think it's sad..

 

BTW, i don't like when they say Celine.. I pretty sure she don't care about that, it's all about René..

[firebird]

So the real problem is that it isn't enough for René to fill his pocket in Las Vegas, now he also wants to rip off his own (better: Céline's own) people.

[newyorksnl15]

i agree

[Javier_Natalio]

Please do the 200.000 people outside free concert! It´ll be a historic event. Sorry René, you can´t win this one. Edited May 26, 2007 at 02:09 AM by wacko.javo

[GoldenLeaf]

In the article above Petrowski did not mention about the Organizers who are ready to paid U2 BUT NOT CELINE and this is unfair for Céline & René

 

So I've only one thing to say: Go René!!!

Edited May 26, 2007 at 02:35 AM by Calypso

[JP]

Please do the 200.000 people outside free concert! It´ll be a historic event. Sorry René, you can´t win this one.

You're right!!

Co'mon, she can sing for Ste-Justine, she can sing for the history of her province!! And the money, she already have everything she need to live until 120 years old LOL

[Love,]

Here's an idea:

- Celine Dion performs at the Plains, with seating for 250,000 guests.

- Celine performs The Eclectic Celine Dion Songbook - a collection of songs that has defined her career from the 80s, the 90s, and 00s and songs that she has recorded but never performed.

- Celine gets knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

- $1 million US Dollars is given to Celine Dion Foundation

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Sainte-Justine TV Special

[brasilero]

In the article above Petrowski did not mention about the Organizers who are ready to paid U2 BUT NOT CELINE and this is unfair for Céline & René

 

So I've only one thing to say: Go René!!!

you know the best thing for Rene to do. demand the same $$$$ as U2 , then give all the money away to Children's charity or Cystic fibrosis!

[JP]

Here's an idea:

- Celine Dion performs at the Plains, with seating for 250,000 guests.

- Celine performs The Eclectic Celine Dion Songbook - a collection of songs that has defined her career from the 80s, the 90s, and 00s and songs that she has recorded but never performed.

- Celine gets knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

- $1 million US Dollars is given to Celine Dion Foundation

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Sainte-Justine TV Special

I don't think they have 2 millions to give to her.. It's the money of the tax that every citizen pay..

Maybe some people here don't understand.. They won't make money on Celine, it's just about a concert for Quebec history..

 

And Queen Elizabeth won't be here because Quebec hate her and it's a little bit dangerous for her

[brasilero]

Here's an idea:

- Celine Dion performs at the Plains, with seating for 250,000 guests.

- Celine performs The Eclectic Celine Dion Songbook - a collection of songs that has defined her career from the 80s, the 90s, and 00s and songs that she has recorded but never performed.

- Celine gets knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

- $1 million US Dollars is given to Celine Dion Foundation

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada

- $500,000 US Dollars is donated to Sainte-Justine TV Special

I don't think they have 2 millions to give to her.. It's the money of the tax that every citizen pay..

Maybe some people here don't understand.. They won't make money on Celine, it's just about a concert for Quebec history..

 

And Queen Elizabeth won't be here because Quebec hate her and it's a little bit dangerous for her

well if they don't have money for Celine, how they have money for U2

[JP]

well if they don't have money for Celine, how they have money for U2

Yeah sorry, i was just a supposition, i don't know the budget they have.. But i think for René it's not a question of money, just don't want to create a new show for that..

[GoldenLeaf]

well if they don't have money for Celine, how they have money for U2

Yeah sorry, i was just a supposition, i don't know the budget they have.. But i think for René it's not a question of money, just don't want to create a new show for that..

I don't know either the budget they have but if they have a low they shouldn't pay U2 then. As for creating a new show, they did not request that from U2 then they don't have to request that from René.

Edited May 26, 2007 at 03:24 PM by Calypso

[JP]

I don't know either the budget they have but if they have a low they shouldn't pay U2 then. As for creating a new show, they did not request that from U2 then they don't have to request that from René.

Yes it's for everybody.. They don't want any tour..

[brasilero]

wow this topic is so confusing. i dont understand the "touring" or the concert or the this or the that.

i thought she was supposed to do a world tour for D'elles

[JP]

wow this topic is so confusing. i dont understand the "touring" or the concert or the this or the that.

i thought she was supposed to do a world tour for D'elles

Yes, but before they think doing a tour, Quebec's city ask to Celine to be there for the 400th anniversary.. But then, the tour have been official and they want to do a show in Quebec in a 15 000 places and not a regular show outside..

[Célinefull]

*shock* maybe the Québécois government thought Céline would want to give a performance to her countrymen on the 400th anniversary of the settlement of the country she is from...Rather than agreeing to sing a few songs infront of 200,000 of the people that started her career (and trust me, there'd be 200,000 people there), she got her manager/husband to deliver back an ultimatum: pay for the whole Céline Dion tour to play, or no dice. It's her choice whether or not she wants to do a concert..but do you honestly think she needs the money?

 

I think what's insulting is when a musician, I don't care who it is, thinks that they are so famous they don't have to pay their dues to the people who made them what they are.

[Elaine]

It's all down to the principle of the matter - You can't offer to pay for one and not for the other

 

I laugh U2 now go and say "OK we'll do it for free"

 

I guess that's what they want to do. Have U2 thinking they could do it for free too!

 

Well, I can say I understand both parts... Quebec thinks Céline owes them a concert and René thinks "Of course she does. So pay her and you'll get your concert"

Of course they don't need the money, but here the question is exactly what has been said previously. She'd probably donate her money for charity if she got paid... And I guess she'd do it for free if the others taking part in the event also did that, but when the opposite happens she should, of course, complain!

Edited May 27, 2007 at 01:34 PM by Elaine

[firebird]

*shock* maybe the Québécois government thought Céline would want to give a performance to her countrymen on the 400th anniversary of the settlement of the country she is from...Rather than agreeing to sing a few songs infront of 200,000 of the people that started her career (and trust me, there'd be 200,000 people there), she got her manager/husband to deliver back an ultimatum: pay for the whole Céline Dion tour to play, or no dice. It's her choice whether or not she wants to do a concert..but do you honestly think she needs the money?

 

I think what's insulting is when a musician, I don't care who it is, thinks that they are so famous they don't have to pay their dues to the people who made them what they are.

I agree with you, except it's the anniversary of the city of Québec, not of the province/country.