Contact Music has revealed that songbird Celine Dion will be stepping into the three-year contract at Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace that had been offered to - and turned down by - Barbra Streisand, as BroadwayWorld reported yesterday. While Streisand was reportedly offered $100 million, Dion's figure has not been reported, although it is believed to be comparable.
Caesar's Palace had been reconstructed specifically for Dion's A New Day show, which ran from 2003 - 2007 and grossed $400 million. Bette Midler most recently played the space, but was received with mixed reviews and mediocre houses.
After closing at Caesar's Palace, Dion embarked on her Taking Chances World Tour, which came to a close last year. Her latest residency will feature a new show by the singer. As part of the three year contract, Dion perform 70 shows a year, beginning March 15, 2011.
Says Dion's husband Rene Angelil to Contact Music: "We're very happy to return to the Las Vegas stage. The schedule will be human for Celine, to avoid tiring her out. This second show in Las Vegas will be as amazing as the first adventure, with A New Day..."
Neil Diamond is still believed to be in talks to share the space.
Dion, who rose to international fame after belting out "My Heart Will Go On" for the Blockbuster, Titanic, is the best selling Canadian artist of all time. Her album D'eux is the best selling French-language album of all time. In 2004, after surpassing 175 million in album sales worldwide, she was presented with the Chopard Diamond Award at the World Music Awards for becoming the best selling female artist of all time. According to Sony Music, Dion has sold over 200 million albums, worldwide.
Photo Credit: From story by Ellen Sterling
Source: BroadwayWorld.com'
