Celine Dion has returned to the stage for a full-length concert in Nanterre, France, marking her first complete show since being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome.

Celine Dion performed a full concert at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, France, on Saturday night, marking her first complete show in more than six years. The performance, which lasted two hours and 15 minutes and featured 25 songs, follows her 2022 diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that affects muscle control. The concert is the first of a 26-show run intended to demonstrate her ability to return to regular touring.

Managing a Rare Condition

Stiff person syndrome affects approximately one or two people in a million, causing muscle stiffness and spasms that can be triggered by stress, touch, or noise. Dion has previously described the sensation of singing with the condition as feeling like being strangled. Despite the physical challenges, she performed a set that included hits like "My Heart Will Go On" and "The Power of Love," as well as an aria by Catalani.

A Challenging Tour Schedule

The current engagement in France consists of 16 shows over five weeks, with an additional 10 dates scheduled for May 2027. This marks a significant return for the artist, who had not performed a full concert since March 8, 2020, and had previously canceled a world tour due to her health. The Saturday performance was attended by 30,000 people, including Michelle Obama.