Not every pop star can play the flute.
And not every flute-playing pop star gets the chance to play a 200-year-old crystal flute that previously belonged to a former US president.
Unless you're Lizzo, that is.
The Library of Congress granted the Grammy-award winning artist the opportunity to play James Madison's 1813 crystal flute on stage at her Washington DC concert.
Here's how the historical moment came to be.
But first, who is James Madison?
Hamilton fans will need no introduction.
James Madison was America's fourth president and held office from 1809 to 1817.
He inherited more than 100 enslaved people when his father, James Madison Sr, died in 1801.
In the same week as his father's death, President Thomas Jefferson named Madison secretary of state, a decision which prompted Madison to move to Washington, DC.
He made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
In later years, he was referred to as the "Father of the Constitution."
As it turns out, he also owned a crystal flute.
Wait, Lizzo plays the flute?
Yes – she's a trained flautist.
She regularly whips out a flute during on-stage performances and even brought one along to this year's Met Gala in New York City.
So how did this moment come about?
It all started on September 24 when Carla Hayden, from the Library of Congress, reached out to Lizzo on Twitter.
"The Library of Congress has the largest flute collection in the world with more than 1,800, including President James Madison's 1813 crystal flute," she wrote.
"Lizzo, we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week."
To which Lizzo replied: "I'M COMING CARLA! AND I'M PLAYIN' THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!!"
A few days later, Lizzo had the chance to play the flute live on stage for her fans at her DC concert at the Capital One Arena.
"This is crystal, it's like playing out of a wine glass," she told the audience as Library of Congress staff pulled the flute from its case and placed it in her hands.
Then, glittering on stage in a sparkly bodysuit, she played a melody that sent fans into a frenzy.
"I just twerked and played James Madison's crystal flute," she told the audience when she finished.
"We just made history tonight!"
"Nobody has ever heard this famous crystal flute before. Now you have!" she wrote on Twitter afterwards.
"I'm the first and only person to ever play this presidential 200-year-old crystal flute."
She also thanked the Library for the honour.
The Library of Congress revealed the historical item was escorted to and from the show by Capitol Police, and is now safe and sound.
Of course, she was allowed some time to practise
"You didn't think Lizzo played that antique flute on stage without practising first, did you?" the Library of Congress tweeted on Thursday following the gig.
They shared behind the scenes footage of Lizzo's tour of the library on Monday, plus her practice session with the crystal flute.
"For those concerned about the flute: Music Division curators made sure it could be played without damage," the Library of Congress wrote.
"This sort of thing is not all that unusual, in fact.
"Some of the Library's priceless instruments were donated with the stipulation that they remain functional and be played."
