Dion set to shine on night of stars

Global star Celine Dion will give the gala audience a night to remember

According to Song, who is Evergrande Music's managing director, Dion topped the list of international stars considered for the gala.

The 1997 film Titanic saw My Heart Will Go On become a global hit.

With the launch of the 3D version of Titanic in China in 2012, both Dion and the song enjoyed renewed fame.

"It proves how much the singer and the song have impressed Chinese audiences," says Song.

Gao, managing director for Evergrande Music's music department, agrees, saying that My Heart Will Go On is the most popular English karaoke song in China.

"If you ask a Chinese person to name two English songs they can sing, it will be My Heart Will Go On and Happy Birthday," he says.

To explore new possibilities for the star in China, CCTV also organized the diva's cooperation with soprano Song Zuying, who is also an internationally acclaimed singer.

She gave a solo concert, called What a Beautiful Jasmine, in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington in 2006.

Her album was nominated that year as the best Classical Crossover Album at the Grammy Awards. In 2008, she performed The Flame of Love with Spanish tenor Placido Domingo at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

"I believe audiences are curious and really looking forward to seeing the stars perform together," said Gao.

Gao also flew to Dion's studio in Los Vegas to help with rehearsals of the folk song.

"She cannot speak Chinese, but she is fluent in French and English which will help her with some of the pronunciations," he said.

Dion was enthusiastic to join the gala and reacquaint herself with China five years after her last visit.

Scheduling was the only fly in the ointment in bringing the star here, as she had to avoid date clashes with other commitments, including 80 shows in Las Vegas.

They started preparing the groundwork in September for the Canadian singer whose albums have sold more than 220 million copies around the world.

"Our time is very tight but luckily, she will be free during Spring Festival, and she is very interested in China" said Song Ke.

"We believe more international stars will come to China," he said.

To attract younger audiences, Evergrande Music also helped organize Spring Festival Gala Express, a talent show to select performers for the Gala.

"It's very interesting. Everybody complains about the gala, but they still watch it, and then they talk about how bad it was. We believe this year will be different," said Gao.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn