Lizzo went old school in earnest during her performance at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC on Tuesday night (September 27). Like in the 19th century. The rapper had a very special guest for the performance: a crystal flute that was once owned but never played by Founding Father and fourth President of the United States James Madison.
Surely you have questions. Earlier this week, the Library of Congress tweeted out a modest boast of the largest flute collection in the world at more than 1,800 pieces, including Madison’s 1813 Crystal Flute. “@lizzo we’d love for you to check it out and even play a few when you’re in DC next week” , write. “Like your song, they’re ‘Good as Hell’.”
Being a classically trained flautist, Lizzo couldn’t possibly turn down the loan offer, so she happily wrote some of her own history at the show. “This is crazy. I have to be really careful,” Lizzo said, while gently cradling the instrument and telling the crowd, “It’s crystal, it’s like playing out of a wine glass, b—h, so be patient. ‘ Then she trilled a few notes on the instrument, held it triumphantly above her head, and carefully carried it back to the Smithsonian representative, who then carefully replaced the flute in its velvety case.
“B—h, I just twerked and played James Madison’s 19th century flute!” Lizzo kvelled. “We made history tonight! Thank you to the Library of Congress for preserving our history and making history cool. History is freakin’ cool folks!” The French flute was a gift to celebrate Madison’s second term in office, and in her comments, Lizzo noted that “no one’s ever heard what it sounds like… now you do.” In a second post She added, “I’m the first and only person to play this presidential crystal flute. It’s literally an heirloom – like… as a flute player, it’s iconic and I’ll never get over it.”
In the comments, Grimes, who knows a thing or two about mystical immersion, wrote: “This is the most imaginative thing I’ve ever seen in the real world omg. A mythical crystal flute that no one has ever heard played? That’s an elf S–T.”
A follow-up tweet from Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden read: “@lizzo you are a gift to all of us. And it’s YOU who just made the story that much cooler. Appreciating all the @libraryofcongress love at last night’s concert. We can’t wait to have you back.”
Lizzo’s Special Tour arrives at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday (September 29).
Check out the special moment below.
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