Guess who just crossed off another ‘bucket list item’ on her dream book. Lizzo!
Yap. The always-iconic singer/classically trained flutist took it back to the 1770s on Tuesday (Sept 27) by playing President James Madison’s ‘mythical’ crystal flute – that no one has ever played until now.
According to CNN, this all started earlier this week when the Library of Congress tweeted at Lizzo – an accomplished flutist – about its collection of 1700 flutes, the largest in the world, per the Library.
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 ‘About Damn Time’ singer asked the Library if she could play the historical flute for a few moments during her D.C. concert. The Library obliged, although they sent Capital Police and several staffers along with the flute to ensure its safety.
“This is crazy. I have to be really careful,” Lizzo told her fans as she excitedly but delicately picked the flute from one of the Library’s staffers.
“B***h, I’m scared,” she said to the audience’s laughter. “It’s crystal. It’s like playing out of a wine glass, b***h, so be patient.”
The renowned flutist then stepped up to her mic and played some fluttery notes while cautiously twerking as she played, as is her style. After a few moments, she stopped, held the flute up high, victoriously (of course), and carefully returned it.
“B*tch, I just twerked and played James Madison’s flute from the 1800s!” Lizzo exclaimed.
“We just made history tonight! Thank you to the Library of Congress for preserving our history and making history cool. History is freaking cool, you guys!”
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Later on Twitter, Lizzo confirmed she is the ‘first and only person to have ever played this 200-year-old crystal flute.”
According to the Library of Congress, the flute was gifted to President James Madison in 1813 for his second inauguration by renowned French designer Claude Laurent. However, its journey to the Library was circuitous and took more than 100 years.
- First lady Dolley Madison might have saved the flute during the White House fire of 1814
- It then came into possession of Dolley Madison’s son from her first marriage, John Payne Todd, who handed it down to Washington-based Dr. Cornelius Boyle
- Boyle’s descendants allowed it to be displayed in 1903 at the National Museum, an original part of the Smithsonian Institution, until Dayton. C. Miller, a woodwind enthusiast, purchased it
- He later bequeathed the famed flute, along with 1700 instruments, to the Library of Congress in 1941, where it remained until its stage debut with Lizzo
And this might not be the last time we see Lizzo play flutes from the historical collection. After the concert, the head Librarian invited her to play some more history-making fluttery notes, and we’re all here for it!
Making history in DC: @lizzo playing James Madison’s crystal flute from @librarycongress tonight! @nbcwashington @Telemundo44 pic.twitter.com/kYTTacURyZ
— Vince Lattanzio (@VinceLattanzio) 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
James Madison’s football team may be undefeated…But James Madison’s flute got owned by Lizzo….Chalk one up for progress
— ♥️♦️tsklear ♣️♠️ (@tsklear) September 29, 2022
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. #LizzoAtLOC
See & hear more from her visit: https://t.co/eZiAVrAGWZ pic.twitter.com/d6T0Iy9hVX
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
We just did a DNA test. Turns out: It’s 100% that [crystal] flute @lizzo played at her D.C. stop on the #SpecialTour tonight. It’s safe & sound back at the Library now. Thank you @CapitolPolice for escorting it. Watch this space for more from Lizzo’s Library visit. #LizzoAtLOC pic.twitter.com/YnS5wVoALN
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
This makes my heart swell. ❤️ @lizzo you are a gift to all of us.
And it’s YOU who just made history much more cooler.We appreciate all the @librarycongress love at the concert last night. We can’t wait to have you back. #LizzoAtLOC https://t.co/R5oAdKxXYW
— Carla Hayden (@LibnOfCongress) September 28, 2022
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