As the Olympics 2024 have now officially begun, let us take a look at the incredible performances by Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Gojira at the opening ceremony.
To kick off the event, Lady Gaga delivered a rendition of the French song “Mon Truc En Plumes,” (my feather thing). Originally sung by the French ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmarie in the 1960’s, Lady Gaga’s performance did its title justice. Alongside a group of dancers, armed with pink, feathery fans, she performed the grandiose revue piece in front of a flight of golden stairs after descending them gracefully.
Moreover, accompanied by a live band on trumpets and saxophones, Lady Gaga took a turn on the piano for a fabulous solo. The vibrant choreography made for an incredibly joyful atmosphere. In the finale, she was fitted with a white peacock train-like bouquet of feathers and lifted up and spun in the air by her dancers before ascending the golden stairs again. Her performance evidently screamed fun and entertainment, starting the ceremony on a very high note.
Watch Lady Gaga’s feathery revue performance below
An unexpected and equally exciting addition to the musical part of the opening ceremony was the metal band Gojira. They performed the French revolutionary song “Ah! Ça Ira” (It’ll be fine) positioned all over the facade of the Conciergerie. The castle was the residence of French kings during the medieval times. Later, among many others, Marie Antoinette was imprisoned there during the French revolution. In fact, from the windows of the building, multiple beheaded Marie Antoinettes sang along in a choir.
Amidst a furious spectacle of pyrotechnics opera singer Marina Viotti further joined in on the performance. Thus as she passed in front of the castle in a sailboat, they created a truly special combination of metal and opera together. The show ended in an undoubtedly phenomenal explosion of red streamers, smoke coming from the windows and fireworks. If Marie Antoinette wouldn’t have lost her head, she’d certainly be banging it to Gojira’s performance.
Watch Gojira’s high-octane performance below
Arguably the most emotional appearance of the evening was Celine Dion’s long-awaited return to stage. She crowned the night following the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner. To bring a rainy opening ceremony to a close, she presented a rendition of “Hymne à l’amour” (Hymn to love) by Édith Piaf.
In December of 2022, she announced that she would have to take a break due to her severe health condition. This performance of hers, under the Eiffel tower, marks her first live performance since March of 2020. With a goosebumps-inducingly powerful voice, she belted out the song in an utmost emotional performance.
Wearing a stunning white gown, she unquestionably owned the stage, accompanied by a piano and bathed in light. NBC host Kelly Clarkson followed up Dion’s performance by calling her “a vocal athlete” for her incredible achievement that night. Hearing Dion’s clear and beautiful voice after such a long and uncertain time, was an absolute spark of hope, shaking millions of viewers to their core. It is safe to say that her appearance under the brightly illuminated Olympic rings made this opening ceremony of the Olympics 2024 a historic one.
Watch the lighting of the Olympic cauldron and Celine Dion’s return to stage below
