Celine Dion ends 1900s with final concert before two-

Celine Dion ends 1900s with final concert before two-year break NELSON WYATT

Dion sings in Montreal Friday night. (CP/Ryan Remiorz)

MONTREAL (CP) - Celine Dion wrapped up the 1900s in Quebec but her best wishes for 2000 went to U.S. President Bill Clinton.

"Good evening Canada and good evening America," she said after finishing her opening song, the tear duct-grabbing My Heart Will Go On from the movie Titanic. "Mr. President and Mrs. Clinton, I know that you're watching us right now and I would like to wish you and everyone in Washington a very, very Happy New Year."

She did not mention any Canadian politicians in her opening comments, which were broadcast live on networks in Quebec, Canada and the United States.

But she later turned her attention to her local - and most fervent fans - before swinging into a duet with a video of Frank Sinatra.

"There's lots of emotion in the air tonight - it's incredible," she said, thanking fans for their constant cheers.

"There is nowhere else in the world that I would want to be tonight. I am with all my family, my friends and all you. I am really happy."

Dion belted out the countdown to 2000 holding hands with husband Rene Angelil as fireworks went off and balloons and confetti streamed from the ceiling.

Dion hugged various other performers at the show and blew kisses at the TV audience.

"I wish you peace and love but mostly good health," Dion said.

Earlier, Dion told an interviewer she was nervous "but nostalgic at the same time."

"It's not only the end of the year but the start of the new century. It's not just my last performance but the start of a new life for Rene and me."

The reigning Queen of Pop is putting her crown on the shelf for a few years as she begins a self-imposed two-year break to begin a family with Angelil.

She dedicated the duet of Sinatra's All the Way to him.

Fans welcomed her to the stage waving glowing blue batons as images of the award-winning singer from her beginning as a gangly teen chanteuse to her more glitzed-out current persona were projected on a big screen.

But the enthusiasm had begun as the audience - many of them Americans - as streamed into the Molson Centre.

"It's a Christmas gift for me," said Julia Debruin from Enosburg Falls, Vt. "She has such a powerful voice."

Her husband Scott said he didn't have to think too hard about the gift.

"As soon as I heard she was coming to Montreal for New Year's Eve, we went and tried to get tickets," said Scott Debruin, who paid $350 Cdn apiece for the two tickets.

Emile Joly said he thought Dion was worth the high ticket price. Some seats reportedly went for $500.

"It's a special day and Celine Dion is a special person," he said.

A galaxy of stars such as rocker Bryan Adams were on hand to be with Dion as she warbled her way into temporary retirement - an event that seemed to be hyped almost as much as the year 2000 celebrations.

The four-hour show was broadcast live on the TVA network and parts of it were shown on CTV.

Among those who expected to take away lifelong memories from the show was one pragmatic panhandler.

"I hope I'll get some American money," he said.

Dion, a rail-thin singer from Charlemagne, Que., leaves an impressive legacy.

She has stayed close to her roots and large family while her earnings climbed to an estimated $55 million a year. She has sold about 100 million albums and recently was honoured by the United Nations as an artist promoting peace.

Dion had previously announced her retirement several times.

She'll keep busy during her break.

Besides planning a family, the multiple Juno and Grammy winner also has to settle a lawsuit by a former drummer who's claiming wrongful dismissal and copyright infringement on one of her songs.

Seventeen restaurants in the Nickels chain, founded by Dion and husband Rene Angelil, were also closed while Revenue Canada investigated allegations three of them used illegal software programs to make cash sales disappear from electronic registers.