Watch Lizzo Play James Madison’s 200-Year-Old Crystal Flute
While performing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night, Lizzo made history by becoming the first person to play James Madison’s flute.
Lizzo‘s flutist game has officially been upgraded. On Tuesday night (September 27), the “About Damn Time” artist performed in at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. during The Special Tour, where she showed off her flutist skills using James Madison’s 200-year-old crystal flute. Madison was America’s fourth president and owned the flute made by French designer Claude Laurent in 1813.the Library of Congress
Last Friday, the three-time Grammy winner was invited by Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress to the Library of Congress to explore their extensive flute collection before her D.C. concert.
“We would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week,” Hayden tweeted. “Like your song they are ‘Good as hell.’”
The @librarycongress has the largest flute collection in the world with more than 1,800. It incl Pres James Madison’s 1813 crystal flute. @lizzo we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week. Like your song they are “Good as hell.”? pic.twitter.com/2FkUFZfIYh
— Carla Hayden (@LibnOfCongress) September 23, 2022
The flute collection is reportedly the largest in the world, home to over 1,700 flutes. The Library of Congress’ Dayton C. Miller Flute collection boasts instruments from around the world dating from the 16th century.
The Library of Congress says it worked with curators and Capitol Police to make Lizzo playing James Madison’s flute happen safely last night. This is Lizzo practicing at the library on Monday. The 1813 flute was gifted to Madison and later saved by Dolley Madison. Photo from LOC. pic.twitter.com/tImV8LvVCm
— Chelsea Cirruzzo (@ChelseaCirruzzo) September 28, 2022
On social media, Lizzo rightfully flaunted Madison’s flute.
Library of Congress: hey Lizzo this is a priceless heirloom and we’ve never heard it played before
Me: pic.twitter.com/mcQIlabX1S
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
NOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE
NOW YOU HAVE
IM THE FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER PLAY THIS PRESIDENTIAL 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE— THANK YOU @librarycongress ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VgXjpC49sO
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
“B***, I just twerked and played James Madison’s flute from the 1800s,” she said in an Instagram video following the concert. “Thank you to the Library of Congress for preserving our history and making history cool. History is freaking cool, you guys!”
With support from 777 rapper Latto, The Special Tour has upcoming stops in New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Nashville and more before ending in Inglewood on November 19. Tickets are available now.