René Angélil hailed in sombre ceremony
Dion spends hours beside open casket as public files past
MONTREAL• For nearly two hours, René Angélil’s funeral Friday was primarily a sombre religious service, far removed from the showbusiness glitz that characterized his marriage to pop superstar Céline Dion. This was, after all, the couple that in 2000 renewed their vows in a Las Vegas ceremony featuring belly dancers and camels.
But as Dion, her face covered by a netted black veil, accompanied Angélil’s casket out of Notre- Dame Basilica, the opening synthesizer notes of her 1995 hit, Pour que tu m’aimes encore, rang through the landmark church.
The crowd filling the pews broke out in applause, and then as the recording built to a trademark Dion crescendo, whistles and cheers rang out, as if the masses who had come to express their love for Dion could not hold it i n any longer.
Rev. Robert Gendreau of the Montreal archdiocese had earlier noted a certain showbiz element was unavoidable in a service commemorating Quebec’s most successful impresario, and the husband and manager of its biggest superstar. In total, recordings of f our songs by Dion — whom Angélil called his favourite singer — were played.
“We are moving f rom Caesars Palace to the temple of God,” Gendreau told a Radio- Canada interviewer, referring to the Las Vegas casino where Dion performs in residence. “We are supposed to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s, but here they are united for once.”
The union was visible before the service in the shadow of Notre- Dame’s towers, on the red carpet leading to the front doors. There was no sign of international celebrities, but Quebec film, TV and music stars came out in force.
Most stopped to talk to reporters along t he cordon, and some even posed for photos as if it were an awards show or film première. The service had already begun when rocker Éric Lapointe arrived, but he still paused in front of the cameras to praise Angélil f or “making Quebec shine through the entire world.”
Dion f ans l i ned up as early as 7 a. m. for the 3 p. m. service to secure one of the balcony seats available to the public. “They need us to return the love that they’ve been showing us over the years,” explained Diane Labreque.
Catherine Charron, born the same year as the 47- year- old Dion, remembers being inspired by Dion as a teenager and following her career as she became an international star. “They are ambassadors f or us around the world,” she said of Dion and Angélil.
This week there was some questioning of Premier Philippe Couillard’s decision to declare a national funeral for Angélil, a rare honour that meant expenses for the ceremony were covered by the state and provincial flags flew at half-staff Friday.
Andréa Marier said Angélil was a “visionary’ who fully deserved the tribute for managing Dion’s career. “He mortgaged everything he had for Céline. He saw the potential of that young girl. Something like that happens once in a century,” she said, mentioning Dion in the same breath as Mozart and Beethoven.
Dignitaries in attendance included Couillard, former Quebec premiers Jean Charest and Bernard Landry and former prime minister Brian Mulroney. The federal government was represented by Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Two of Angélil’s sons — Patrick f rom a previous marriage and 15- year- old René- Charles from his marriage to Dion — spoke about their father. Patrick recalled Angélil’s passion for gambling, recounting that Angélil instructed him as a young boy to look both ways before crossing the street and to always double down when dealt a 5 and a 6 in blackjack.
René- Charles said his short time with his father yielded many fond memories, and he promised to share them with his fiveyear- old twin brothers, Nelson and Eddy, as they grow up. “Dad, I promise you here that we’re all going to live up to your standards,” he said. “I love you, Papa.”
It was Angélil’s life that was being celebrated, but as was the case throughout their lives together, the spotlight shone brightest on Dion.
“Céline, strong and generous,” read the headline in Friday’s Journal de Montréal, reporting on Dion’s marathon duty beside Angélil’s open casket during more than eight hours of public visitation Thursday.
Angélil, 73, died Jan. 14 at the couple’s home in Las Vegas after a lengthy illness with throat cancer. He leaves his three sons with Dion as well as three children from two previous marriages — Patrick, Anne- Marie and Jean-Pierre.
The commemoration will move from God’s temple back to Caesars Palace Feb. 3, where a celebration of Angélil’s life is planned in the 4,000- seat Colosseum theatre. The box office said Friday that tickets would be going on sale for the event soon. “It’s in the system to sell,” an agent said. “They are trying to figure out the pricing.”