Mischianza

The Mischianza (pronounced [miˈskjantsa]; Italian for "medley" or "mixture"), or Meschianza, was an elaborate fête given in honor of British General Sir William Howe in Philadelphia on May 18, 1778.

[1] Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America during the early years of the Revolution, had resigned his post and was about to return to England.

[2] The events, which were planned by Captains John André and John Montresor and others,[2] included a regatta along the Delaware River, accompanied by three musical bands and a 17-gun salute by British warships, a procession, a tournament of jousting knights, and a ball and banquet with fireworks display.

[2] The crowd of over 400 guests[2] included Admiral of the Fleet Richard Lord Howe, the general's brother; General Henry Clinton, commandant at New York and Howe's replacement;[3] Peggy Shippen, future wife of Benedict Arnold; Peggy Chew, daughter of Benjamin Chew;[4] Rebecca Franks, daughter of loyalist David Franks;[5] Lord Cathcart;[6] Banastre Tarleton; and Wilhelm von Knyphausen, a General of the Hessians, a mercenary unit of the German Military.

As stage director, he painted background scenes for plays produced by acting members of the English Army.