Celine Dion Shanghai concert poster

By Keen Zhang
zhangr@china.org.cn

Celine Dion has postponed her much anticipated April 13 Beijing show due to a throat infection, Chinese media reported on Tuesday. The promoter offered a refund to fans.

Diva Celine is on a world tour promoting her latest album, Taking Chances. She had already cancelled concerts in Australia at the weekend due to illness, said local newspaper the Sunday Herald Sun.

According to the Beijing News, Dion's husband, Rene Angélil, said doctors advised Dion not to sing outdoors in Beijing since April is the sandstorm season. Dion was set to play at the city's Workers' Stadium.

"We learnt that there were sand storms in Beijing in March and April. The promoter tried to find an indoor venue, the Olympic basketball arena, but it didn't work out.”

"The doctor told us it was not a good idea to sing outside. So we cancelled the event. It will take place next year, "said Angélil.

The Beijing show's promoter, Emma Entertainment, announced Tuesday morning that the concert had been postponed not cancelled, but failed to announce a future date. The promoter's website (www.emma.cn) stated that all tickets would be refunded.

Besides a full refund, fans will receive complimentary tickets for an international motorcycle championship to be held in Beijing on May 31 and June 1.

Emma Entertainment said they deeply regret the inconvenience.

But a Chinese newspaper gave another account as to why the concert was postponed.

Beijing Evening News said a spokesperson for Celine Dion told the paper that the incident had nothing to do with Beijing's weather. The "delay" or cancellation was because Emma broke Chinese rules, by selling over 10,000 tickets before receiving the approval of the local government culture department.

The paper said that Celine will arrive in China on April 11 as previously scheduled, and will attend events promoting Beijing Olympics.

China.org.cn called Emma Entertainment to check the story, but the staff either denied the report or said they don't know the facts.

Dion's Shanghai concert scheduled for April 11 will go ahead as planned.

(China.org.cn, CRI April 1,2008)