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'Desecrating American history': Lizzo slammed for playing James Madison's 200-year-old crystal flute

'As a flute player, this is iconic,' claimed Lizzo, the trained flutist who was granted permission by The Library of Congress to play the instrument

PENN QUARTER, WASHINGTON DC: Famous singer and flutist, Lizzo played the 200-year-old flute owned by James Madison, the fourth president of America, who is called the 'Father of the Constitution'. His flute is also known as the 'Madison Flute' and was played during a concert held at the library Great Hall in Washington DC on Tuesday, September 27.

According to The New York Times, the flute has been made by Claude Laurent, a Parisian craftsman. It is made of glass and Laurent believed that glass flutes would hold their pitch and tone better than flutes made of wood or ivory. The flute's silver joint is engraved with Madison's name, and the year 1813. The flute which is housed at the Library of Congress was specially made for Madison's second inauguration.

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In the video, Lizzo who is decked up in a glittery outfit can be heard saying, “Wow, It’s crystal. It’s like playing out of a wine glass.” She then proceeded to play a note. The crowd applauded and went wild as she played the note to which she twerked and then played the instrument. “I just twerked and played James Madison’s crystal flute from the 1800s,” Lizzo told the audience, after returning the flute. “We just made history tonight," Said Lizzo. 

Lizzo excitedly went on to post twice on Instagram about her "Iconic" moment. Initially, she said, "YALL.. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LET ME PLAY THEIR HISTORIC 200 YEAR OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE ON STAGE TONIGHT— NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE… NOW YOU DO. @librarycongress." In the second post, she wrote, "YALL WE GOT A BETTER VIDEO— YEAH IM DOUBLE POSTING BUT IM THE FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO PLAY THIS PRESIDENTIAL CRYSTAL FLUTE ITS LITERALLY AN HEIRLOOM— LIKE… AS A FLUTE PLAYER THIS IS ICONIC AND I WILL NEVER BE OVER IT🎶"

One of the spoke persons of the Library of Congress told the BBC that the flute may have been played in public on a rare special occasion in the past, most likely in Madison's time. Until Lizzo picked up the flute, the Library's curator, who has worked at the Library since 1993, had never heard it played live.

Meanwhile, The Library of Congress also tweeted, "We just did a DNA test. Turns out: It's 100% that [crystal] flute @lizzoplayed at her D.C. stop on the #SpecialTour tonight. It's safe & sound back at the Library now. Thank you @CapitolPolicefor escorting it. Watch this space for more from Lizzo's Library visit. #LizzoAtLOC." Lizzo, whose original name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is a grammy award winner and has contributed incredible music collections including, 'Cuz I Love You', 'Special', and 'Big Grrrl Small World'.

'I think we need to hear more than just a warmup!'

Internet was quick to respond to Lizzo's performance. Matt Walsh commented, "Simply desecrating American history just for the sake of it." Another user said, "To be fair if someone handed me a bass guitar that was 200 years old I'd probably only play two very careful notes and hand it back too."

A user went on to say, "I love that she is the only one to play that flute in 200 years. The fact that this talented musician happens to be a woman of color playing a slave owners prized flute is amazing. She is a gift to us all." Another user claimed, "A lot of people putting her on a pedestal similar to how republicans react to trump and they don’t even see it."

Meanwhile, another tweet read, "Not really a Lizzo fan, but this is cool as hell. Wish you could have gotten to play it longer. Hope we can see our history being brought out for the world to see more often." A user noted, "I think we need to hear more than just a warmup!" However, Paton Oswalt said, "crystal flute obsession it’s a new diversion." 

Parker Molloy stated, "There is precisely a 0.0% chance that this guy knew that this "legendary flute" existed before today. Doesn't the right ever get tired of pretending to be outraged about this stuff? "The purpose is to remind you that nothing you care about has any value." Calm down, weirdo." A user claimed, "Why conservatives have a problem with her playing the flute is mind boggling. Many of them getting their drawers in a knot, can’t even play. THE HATE THEY GIVE."

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