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
American singer and rapper Lizzo gave an unforgettable performance on September 26, 2022. However, it was not her iconic hits or dance moves that stole the show. Lizzo partnered with the Library of Congress to give a rare performance of President James Madison's crystal flute that hasn't been heard in 200 years.
While Lizzo is famous for her Grammy-winning album and electric concerts, she began her musical career as a classically trained flutist. The librarian of Congress Carla Hayden reached out to Lizzo on Twitter and offered the pop star a chance to check out their collection of 1,800 flutes, which is the largest in the world. Lizzo, of course, jumped at the opportunity, specifically requesting to play the crystal flute belonging to James Madison.
The exquisite instrument was made in 1813 by Claude Laurent, a clockmaker from Paris, and presented to James Madison at his second inauguration as president. Today, only 185 flutes by Laurent still exist, including only two crystal flutes—one of which is kept by the Library of Congress. In preparation for the special occasion, Lizzo visited the Library on Monday and practiced playing the stunning piece. Then, the instrument was brought out again during her concert, supervised by Library curator Carol Lynn Ward-Bamford and a security officer.
Lizzo, dressed in a gold sequined bodysuit, grasped the crystal flute and brought it to the mic. “It's crystal, so it's like playing out of a wine glass. So be patient,” she said after accepting the delicate object. Once she found a comfortable position, she began playing a few delicate notes, which made the crowd roar with excitement. As she held a trilling sound, she also accompanied the music by twerking, always making sure she kept the artifact secure in her hands. Then, out of caution, she brought the flute back to the Ward-Bamford and ran back to the mic to address the crowd again. “We just made history tonight! Thank you to the Library of Congress for preserving our history and making history freaking cool.”
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden reached out to Lizzo on Twitter when she heard the pop star was performing in Washington, D.C., inviting her to see the flute collection.
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
As a classically trained flutist, the Grammy winner enthusiastically accepted the invitation.
IM COMING CARLA! AND IM PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!! https://t.co/aPcIthlqeo
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 24, 2022
Lizzo met with staff at the Library of Congress and practiced playing President James Madison's 200-year-old crystal flute.
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
Many of you following along with #LizzoAtLOC were surprised that the Library has a flute vault. We are the largest Library in the world & home to more than 173 million objects, so there are many more surprises like that in our collections. Enjoy this thread of just a few of them. pic.twitter.com/urin67XIfQ
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) 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
Hearing @lizzo play some of the Library's priceless antique instruments on Monday was such a gift, and we were honored and happy to help her share that gift with her concert audience Tuesday night. Here is some more behind-the-scenes footage of her Library tour. #LizzoAtLOC pic.twitter.com/OQc4K3YXBg
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
Lizzo also practiced this part of her on-stage performance in the Library's Great Hall on Monday. Wait for it… #LizzoAtLOChttps://t.co/kT2c6Fmnrn pic.twitter.com/pIashO5qp6
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
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
She later played it to a roaring crowd in D.C.:
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
Lizzo: Kimo | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Neatorama, Hyperallergic]
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