Lizzo has become the only person to ever be allowed to play the flute owned by James Madison, which was loaned to her by the Library of Congress.
The 200-year-old old crystal flute, which is considered a national treasure, was escorted to the crass performer’s DC concert by the Capitol Police.
Last night our officers helped safely escort President James Madison’s 1813 crystal flute to the @lizzo concert for the @librarycongress. #NationalTreasures
You never know what you’re going to see with the U.S. Capitol Police! pic.twitter.com/Nd0XQPdgSO
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) September 28, 2022
“Bitch, I just twerked and played James Madison’s flute from the 1800s!” Lizzo told the crowd after playing it. “We just made history tonight.”
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
In a tweet with a video of her playing the flute, Lizzo wrote that “NOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE.” She added, “NOW YOU HAVE,” and boasted about being the only one allowed to play it.
Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, had invited Lizzo to play it in a tweet earlier this month.
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
Hayden wrote, “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.'”
The Libary of Congress tweeted that Lizzo visited earlier this week and also played other famous flutes from their collection.
“You didn’t think @lizzo played that antique flute on stage without practicing first, did you? She visited the Library Monday & played several of the flutes in our collection, which is the largest in the world,” the tweet said.
A flute @lizzo played in the Main Reading Room Monday (with permission from some lucky researchers who were there!) looks similar to the crystal one she had at her concert, but is actually plexiglass. It is also very rare & was manufactured when the material was first invented.🔊 pic.twitter.com/3i33D9NdQV
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
“A flute @lizzo played in the Main Reading Room Monday (with permission from some lucky researchers who were there!) looks similar to the crystal one she had at her concert, but is actually plexiglass. It is also very rare & was manufactured when the material was first invented,” a subsequent tweet said, with a video of her playing the instrument.
For those concerned about the flute: Music Division curators made sure it could be played without damage. This sort of thing is not all that unusual, in fact. Some of the Library’s priceless instruments were donated with the stipulation that they remain functional & be played. pic.twitter.com/9F7SASQcvP
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
Addressing concerns about potential damage to the flute, the Library of Congress tweeted, “For those concerned about the flute: Music Division curators made sure it could be played without damage. This sort of thing is not all that unusual, in fact. Some of the Library’s priceless instruments were donated with the stipulation that they remain functional & be played.”