Lizzo Makes History Playing 200-Year-Old Flute at Library of Congress
Lizzo performed at the Capital One Arena on Tuesday Night with a historical 200-year-old crystal flute owned by James Madison and loaned to her from the Library of Congress.
Most fans know Lizzo is not shy when it comes to showing off her ability to sing, dance, and break out her flute on stage mid-performance; the girl has skills. On Tuesday night performed with a historical relic, a 200-year-old crystal flute at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
This flute was sent as a gift to James Madison in 1813 by French flute maker, Claude Laurent. Before allowing Lizzo to perform on stage with the flute, the Library of Congress maintained it in a vault for decades. Lizzo made history by being the first person to ever play it.
I could literally listen to Lizzo playing the flute all day every day. She’s just amazing. Period.pic.twitter.com/SYXwqe2vMA
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) September 29, 2022
All thanks to a simple social media exchange, Lizzo was granted the opportunity of a lifetime. Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, tweeted an invitation for Lizzo to visit the world’s most extensive collection of flutes housed at the Library of Congress in D.C. She penned, “We would love for you to come to see it and even play a couple when you are in D.C. next week. Like your song, they are “Good as h*ll.” Lizzo replied to the tweet exclaiming, “IM COMING CARLA! AND I’M PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!!”
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
IM COMING CARLA! AND IM PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!! https://t.co/aPcIthlqeo
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 24, 2022
The Library of Congress has 20 Lauren-made flutes in its vault which makes it a very rare find. According to the Library, the flute has James Madison engraved on it and contains a silver joint.
This flute is supposed to be displayed at the U.S. Museum as an original part of the Smithsonian Institution. However, Dayton C. Miller, a woodwind enthusiast, purchased and then donated the crystal flute and other instruments in his collection to the Library.
I got to see @lizzo twerk while playing the flute live last night and it was glorious as expected. She put on an amazing show and her vocals were on point. #SpecialTour 💜
— ALIENSUPERSTAR👽obvs (@PolishedDreamer) October 3, 2022
Lizzo then played the flute at a live concert for her fans. Before the diva performed at Captial One Arena, she explained the history behind the instrument. Madison received the flute to congratulate him on his second inauguration as President. Unfortunately, British troops set fire to Washington D.C., including the White House during the war of 1812. Madison’s wife, Dolly Madison managed to save the now iconic portrait of George Washington and the glass flute.
Lizzo closed her show by telling fans, “We just made history tonight!” They screamed and cheered, praising Lizzo after an unforgettable performance and a moment in history. Fans can watch her performance down below.
