On July 6, the queen of soul, and later disco, performed at the Accor Arena in Paris. After two decades away from France, she shone with an unforgettable concert.

We always look at legends with awe. The fear of being disappointed or dissatisfied. What kind of voice? What kind of stamina? What kind of song selection? 81-year-old Diana Ross returned to Paris after almost two decades of absence. Ross is the diva who has stood the test of time. She could have been standardized by the precisely crafted hits of Motown and the industrialized songs of disco. The result: only the standards remain, as they were called at the time, familiar to 15,000 people at the Accor Arena, according to Paris Match magazine.

After a retrospective film that sets the mood for the audience, Diana Ross appears dressed in a red fringed dress and a red and brown fan. The energetic song “I'm Coming Out” kicks off the evening, followed by four Supremes hits (“Baby Love,” “You Can't Hurry Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop in the Name of Love”), where, despite her surprisingly (too) young voice, the nostalgic effect works at full throttle.

“Touch Me in the Morning” is one of the first big moments of grace—the cover of Billie Holiday's “Don't Explain” is another. This 1973 hit shows that the queen of soul, and later disco, has many other strings to her bow.

The dense set list resembles a “best of” compilation, but sometimes proves misleading: iconic songs like “Love Hangover,” an erotic disco song from 1976, last only two minutes—a far cry from the original eight (perhaps time has taken its toll). This “interrupted chorus” doesn't stop the star from being adored. It's not the length that matters. She recovers with “Chain Reaction” and “I'm Still Waiting.”

A change of dress – time for black – and “The Boss” returns with the 1979 song of the same name, which is extremely effective. “Endless Love,” recorded with Lionel Richie, is another magical moment. Just like the intoxicating “Upside Down.”

The Accor Arena is overcome with happiness. The diva is here and she's letting herself go: this is how we know her. Like the trio with her two daughters, Tracy and Rhonda, and then — after another costume change — she leaves the stage to her daughter Rhonda for three songs. The first part after an hour and a half of show. The audience doesn't move.

Dressed entirely in white (her coat from the Met Gala), Diana Ross begins the last half hour like a queen: “If the World Just Danced” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.”

Next comes the magical “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To),” a sublime, melancholic, and introspective ballad, followed by “Ain't No Mountain High Enough,” Marvin Gaye's soul song, which she turned into a hit in 1970.

Finally, Ross performs a song by another diva, Gloria Gaynor, and intoxicates us with “I Will Survive.” This extended version—over seven minutes long—is ecstatic. Diana Ross is enjoying herself, and it shows. After a two-hour concert, she ends with “Thank You,” which is as energetic as it is sincere.

What do we expect when we go to see a musical legend? Pleasure, excitement, emotion. And that feeling that we have filled a void – that we were there and heard the soundtrack of our lives at a concert. Yes, despite everything, we should always go and see the legends. | BGNES