Lizzo plays a 200-year-old crystal flute onstage that once belonged to James Madison

The instrument was leant to the singer by the Library of Congress for her show in Washington, DC

Lizzo’s Special tour hit Washington, DC last night and featured a surprise appearance from a historical artifact. After a visit to the Library of Congress in which classically trained flautist Lizzo examined their large collection of flutes, it was agreed that the Library would lend Lizzo a particularly precious one for her upcoming show. The instrument in question was a 200-year-old crystal flute originally owned by James Madison.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

“This is crazy. I have to be really careful,” Lizzo said, as the flute was handed to her on stage. “This is from the early 1800s, this was a gift to James Madison from a French crystal flute designer to celebrate his second term. There was a fire… and the only two things that were saved were a portrait of George Washington and this crystal flute right here. I am the first person to ever play it, so you’re about to hear what it sounds like for the first time.”

The singer then played a few notes on the instrument, twerking along, before handing it back. “B*tch, I just twerked and played James Madison’s flute from the 1800s!” she told the crowd.

Lizzo’s Special tour supports her album of the same name, which is available everywhere now. Read our review of Special here.