UPDATE
The official estate of former President James Madison invited award-winning singer and rapper Lizzo to perform at Madison's home in Virginia.
The invitation from James Madison Montpelier comes after the Minnesota-born and Texas-raised artist performed in Washington, D.C. with the fourth president's 200-year-old crystal flute last month with the assistance of the Library of Congress.
Lizzo, you've played #JamesMadison's flute, now come visit his house! 🙏@lizzo #Lizzo #Flute @librarycongress #Yitty @Yitty https://t.co/AA4IDQE18g
— Madison's Montpelier (@JMMontpelier) September 28, 2022
Lizzo has yet to speak on the invitation from the estate.
ORIGINAL STORY
Award-winning singer and rapper Lizzo has broken a record once again.
On Tuesday at her concert in Washington, D.C., Lizzo played a 200-year-old flute made from crystal that was once owned by the fourth U.S. president, James Madison.
The "About Damn Time" was loaned to perform the crystal flute by the Library of Congress after Librarian Carla Hayden tweeted to the popstar about the collection of world-class flutes, according to the Library's blog.
IM COMING CARLA! AND IM PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!! https://t.co/aPcIthlqeo
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 24, 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
The blog stated the flute was specifically created for the former president in 1813 by Frenchman Claude Laurent, who engraved the flute's silver joint with Madison's name.
It was a gift from Laurent in honor of Madison's inauguration and was rescued by his wife Dolley during the War of 1812 after British troops stormed and burned down the White House.
Before performing using the priceless flute in the U.S. Capital, she met with the Library of Congress to practice, learn how to manage the flute, and see their vast collection of over 1,800 flutes.
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
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) September 28, 2022
See & hear more from her visit: https://t.co/eZiAVrAGWZ pic.twitter.com/d6T0Iy9hVX
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
While on stage and before playing, Lizzo referred to the flute as "playing out of a wine glass."
"NOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE. NOW YOU HAVE," tweeted the singer. "IM THE FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER PLAY THIS PRESIDENTIAL 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE."
NOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
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
YALL…
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
I PLAYED THE 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ON STAGE IN D.C. 😭😭😭😭 @LibnOfCongress thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u07gCaRTH4
"...I just twerked and played James Madison's flute from the 1800s. We just made history tonight!" Lizzo said after playing.
For those concerned about the flute and possible damage, the Library of Congress stated that the Music Division curators ensured the centuries-old flute can be played safely, something Lizzo pokes fun at.
Library of Congress: hey Lizzo this is a priceless heirloom and we’ve never heard it played before
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
Me: pic.twitter.com/mcQIlabX1S
The flute has since been returned with Capitol Police escorting it to its proper place.
Washington, D.C. was the third concert of 23 she has for her "Special" tour. Three performances will be held in Austin, Dallas, and Houston towards the end of October.
