Updated: Sat Jun. 07 2008 9:27:49 AM

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — After a series of "rehearsal shows'' in eastern and central Canada, legendary singer and poet Leonard Cohen officially kicked off his world tour Friday with a three-hour performance in front of a rapt Toronto audience that had waited nearly 15 years for his return.

The reclusive artist, who shied away from the limelight and was ordained a Buddhist monk during his retreat from fame, took the stage in a dark suit and fedora, grinning broadly as he was greeted by waves of applause from roughly 3,200 fans who filled the Sony Centre.

His voice robust and strong, the 73-year-old icon opened with a brief offer of thanks before launching into his 1984 serenade, "Dance Me To The End Of Love,'' clutching a mic with two hands and filling it with his rich baritone.

"Thank you, dear friends; it's been a long time since I've been back on a stage,'' Cohen said later as audience members yelled back: "Too long!''

He noted that he was a much younger man when he last mounted a tour, eliciting laughs from the audience, many of them greying themselves.

"I was 60 years old, just a kid with a crazy dream,'' quipped Cohen, who now lives in Los Angeles.

Although the Toronto show is being dubbed Cohen's official return to the stage, the Montreal-native has been performing since May, warming up his vocals at smaller venues throughout Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

After three more shows in Toronto he heads to Ireland, Britain and Europe to complete a three-month world tour that will have him perform 42 soldout shows in 14 countries.

Cohen's much-publicized financial problems are said to be behind his return to the concert circuit. Years ago, his longtime former manager was ordered by a court to restore millions of dollars that had been pilfered from his retirement fund, but Cohen has yet to collect the cash.

Throughout his comeback Friday, Cohen appeared to relish his return to the spotlight, at times leaning forward to get a better glimpse at the audience or various members of his nine-piece band as they ran through his vast catalogue of classic songs.

"Suzanne,'' "Ain't No Cure For Love,'' "Bird On The Wire,'' "First We Take Manhattan'' -- the favourites were all there, with little variation in the setlist from previous shows held out east.

In all, Cohen played two eight-song sets followed by repeated encores that brought the audience to its feet.

The biggest cheers came for a full-voiced delivery of "Hallelujah,'' and a lively version of "Closing Time'' that had the crowd clapping along to the rollicking chorus.

His frame looking slender and slightly stooped, Cohen limited his movements to some hip-swaying and toe-tapping, occassionally shuffling towards musicians that spanned the stage but never straying far from centre.

Other appearances in Canada include three shows later this month in Montreal, where Cohen will be honoured with a tribute at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Cohen fan Wayne Mills said he'd waited 40 years to see the man perform live.

"He's got charisma, and his music is beautiful because it's poetry,'' marvelled Mills, 62.

"I should look that good when I'm 75.''