On Tuesday night in Washington D.C., superfans were treated to a guest appearance of a lifetime when Lizzo brought onstage... a crystal flute.
Lizzo is currently on The Special Tour promoting her album Special which was released this summer.
The 200-year-old crystal flute was a gift from Claude Laurent of Paris to 4th US President James Madison in honor of his second inauguration. It is also rumored the flute—along with other valuables—was rescued from the Washington D.C. fires set by British troops in 1814.
Claude Laurent—Parisian watchmaker and mechanic—invented technology to produce glass flutes, an early 19th century novelty.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
During Lizzo's performance, the flute surrounded by guards was handed to Lizzo by a curator from the Library of Congress.
As she acquainted herself with the unique instrument, she quipped to the audience:
"It's crystal. It's like playing out of a wine glass."
The artist then began to trill and twerk simultaneously.
"B*tch, I just twerked and played James Madison's crystal flute from the 1800s."
"We just made history tonight!"
Lizzo thanked the Library of Congress for "preserving our history."
"History is freaking cool, you guys!"
She then joked she was parting ways with her own flute, Sasha.
"Everybody tell Sasha, 'Bye b*tch.'"
"I've got a crystal flute. I'm coming up in the world."
Lizzo tweeted the video of her playing the crystal flute with the caption:
"Y'all... I played the 200-year-old crystal flute from the Library of Congress on stage in D.C."
\u201cYALL\u2026\n\nI PLAYED THE 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ON STAGE IN D.C. \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d \n\n@LibnOfCongress thank you \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201cNOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE\n\nNOW YOU HAVE\n\nIM THE FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER PLAY THIS PRESIDENTIAL 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE\u2014 THANK YOU @librarycongress \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664345126
The flute's now-viral appearance was made possible by a tweet from Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress.
\u201cThe @librarycongress has the largest flute collection in the world with more than 1,800. It incl Pres James Madison\u2019s 1813 crystal flute. \n@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 \u201cGood as hell.\u201d\ud83d\ude09\u201d— Carla Hayden (@Carla Hayden) 1663945459
Of course, certain segments of the population had thoughts about Lizzo being allowed to play James Madison's flute.
But Pennsylvania state Democratic Representative Brian Sims had a response.
As you can imagine, fans loved the historic moment.
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress James Madison is ROLLING in his grave... I LOVE IT!\n\nlike this is awesome... 159 years after slavery ended, a black woman gets to play an ardent slave holder's most prized possession as one of the popular people on the planet (history is neat)\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress This is the library collaboration we need. Can we have @lizzo as library brand ambassador?\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress What a beautiful, sweet and mellow sound! Only wish you got to play more.\nMazel tov and congrats on making a gorgeous piece of history.\n\ud83d\udc9c\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress Rock on, Lizzo, the classically trained flutists (flautists? \ud83d\ude44) of the world applaud you!!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress That\u2019s so cool. An iconic moment for an iconic lady!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress What a gorgeous moment in so many ways! And you're right, history is so cool and you are creating a marvelous history!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress i love it. like,,, terrified to play it. Could have played a whole symphony but .... omg it's crystal. playing out of a wine glass!!!!!! \n\nThis brought me great joy! i hope you were thrilled beyond belief too!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress No one could have foreseen this. Rock on!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress You just saved the timeline Lizzo!\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
\u201c@lizzo @LibnOfCongress History is COOL & you are an angel.\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1664342363
Lizzo will be on The Special Tour through November 19.
No word on any other founding father's crystal instruments joining her on stage.