Franciscus Henri
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Franciscus Henri
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Franciscus Henricus Antheunis
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alias = Professor Henri, Mister Whiskers
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1947|8|7}}
| birth_place = The Hague, Netherlands
| origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = Folk, children's, gospel, pop
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, children's entertainer, teacher
| years_active = 1969–present
| label = Fable
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus Henri (born 7 August 1947, in The Hague, The Netherlands), is a musician and children's entertainer. He has dual Dutch and Australian nationality. In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed in the TV talent quest New Faces, which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records. From 1997, he also performs as Mister Whiskers, a travelling singer who loves children and performs for them with his dog companion, Smiggy.
Biography
Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Jr. was born on 7 August 1947 in The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1956, his father, Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Sr., (born 25 October 1914) and his mother Pietertje (née Van Der Pol, born 21 September 1919) migrated to Australia on board the Dutch ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt with his older brother Roelof A (born 8 November 1943), Franciscus Henri and his younger sister Maria T (born 28 June 1950).{{cite web | url = http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1452394 | title = A2478, Anthenius F H | publisher = National Archives of Australia | quote = Anthenius Franciscus Henricus born 25 October 1914; Pietertje (nee Van Der Pol) born 21 September 1919; Roelof A born 8 November 1943; Franciscus born 7 August 1947; Maria T born 28 June 1950 – Dutch – travelled per ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt departing in 1956 under Reformed Churches Sponsorship Scheme | year = 1956 | access-date = 15 May 2012 }} Henri finished his education in Australia and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. In October 1969, Henri performed at the 1st Annual Festival of Gospel Music with Faye Meadows, David Meadows, Leonie Hawthorn and 3-in-1 Gospel Jazz Trio.{{cite web | url = http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=no;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=Franciscus%20Henri%20Decade%3A%221960-1969%22;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 | title = 325856: 1st Annual Festival of Gospel Music | publisher = National Film and Sound Archive | year = 1971 | access-date = 15 May 2012 }}
In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed as a folk musician on a TV talent quest, New Faces, which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records – label boss, Ron Tudor, was a judge on New Faces.{{cite web | url = http://www.milesago.com/industry/fable.htm | title = Record Labels – Fable Records | work = Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975 | last1 = Kimball | first1 = Duncan | publisher = Ice Productions | year = 2002 | access-date = 20 April 2010 }} In September 1970 Henri's debut single, "Mary and Me" was issued by Fable and he recorded further singles and an LP, Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell (1972). His second album, Gabriel's Mother's Highway (1972) is described as "a refreshing folk album ... a slightly religious but innocent era".{{cite web | url = http://www.wrokdown.com/series2.htm | title = Series 2 | work = Wrokdown | publisher = Musicians Independent Collective. Anita Monk | access-date = 15 May 2012 }}
In 1972 Henri toured with English poet Sydney Carter, and in 1973 he left teaching to join the Monash University Theatre company as a set designer, actor and musician. He participated in the Alexander Theatre productions of Puckoon, Under Milkwood (both 1974), Laertes (1970s) and Giant John (1975).{{cite web | url = http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/records-archives/archives/cgi-alias/monpix | title = Franciscus Henri | publisher = Monash Records and Archives Image Database. Monash University | year = 2003 | access-date = 15 May 2012 }} In 1976 he toured throughout Australia and New Zealand supporting the English-Irish comedian Spike Milligan.{{cite news | url = http://arrow.monash.edu.au/vital/access/services/Download/monash:7992/DOC | title = Spike's Show | work = Lot's Wife | publisher = Monash Student Association (Clayton) Incorporated | volume = xvi | issue = 1 | last = Rosenthal | first = Stan | page = 16 | date = 1 March 1976 | access-date = 15 May 2012 }} Henri formed a production company in that year, and began producing performances throughout Australia in conjunction with state arts councils.
From 1979 to October 1980, Henri was a member of the original cast of Shirl's Neighbourhood, a children's television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri.
It was around this time that Henri started to perform children's concerts.
Henri also wrote and presented a series of programs and adds for the Victorian Christian Television Association.
He also appeared on the Q7 program filmed in London, England.
In 1997 he started performing to children as his new character, MISTER WHISKERS,Herald Sun, 19 May 1997 and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello Mister Whiskers, which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-childrens-album |title=ARIA Awards: History: Best Children's Album|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association}}
He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's FestivalRaffi, (1998). The Life of a Children's Troubadour: An Autobiography, Homeland Press and Port Fairy Folk Festival (seven times);http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/index.php?section=9&pid=200
http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/index.php?section=9&pid=201
http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/index.php?section=9&pid=201
http://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/index.php?section=9&pid=202 and (as MISTER WHISKERS) is the only performer to have played at every Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids Festival since its inception 1998. He has also performed in Singapore a number of times with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
From 1989 to 2002 he was a recording artist for ABC Music (ABC for kids), as well as a creator and producer of cover designs, for his own and other releases.
He is the writer of the popular song 'Ducks Like Rain' a cover version recorded by Canadian
entertainer Raffi
His most recent work is Nothing Fixed or Final, the words and music of Sydney Carter, as performed by Henri.[http://www.stainer.co.uk/carter.html Stainer & Bell: Sydney Carter] He has presented it throughout Victoria and recently in Boston US. In London UK. he performed in the Sydney Carter memorial concert(Oct 2007)
He has so far received seven ARIA award nominations for his various recording work.
Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter.
Discography
{{Main|Franciscus Henri discography}}
- 1972 Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell
- 1972 Gabriel's Mother's Highway
- 1975 Pigtails
- 1976 Lord of the Dance
- 1981 Sunshine Rainbows and Violins
- 1981 Children's Christmas Songs
- 1985 Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes
- 1988 Tree House
=Releases on CD=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Album name ! Distributor ! Other notes |
| 1989
|rowspan="14" | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1990
| |
| 1991
|rowspan="2" |Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album |
| 1992 |
| rowspan="2" | 1993
|Merry Christmas | |
| My Favourite Nursery Rhymes
|Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album |
| rowspan="2" | 1994
|(Spoken Word) album |
| I'm Hans Christian Andersen
|rowspan="3" |Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album |
| 1997
|Hello Mister Whiskers |
| rowspan="2" | 1998 |
| Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes
|A re-release of My Favourite Nursery Rhymes |
| rowspan="2" | 1999
|Mister Whiskers: Monkey Business |Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album |
| Board of Studies "Street Sense" - Road Safety Songs
| |
| 2002
| |
| 2003
|Explorer Semester One |rowspan="4" | Music Makers | |
| rowspan="3" | 2004
|Maestro Semester One | |
| Explorer Semester Two
| |
| Maestro Semester Two
| |
| 2005
|Franciscus Henri Productions | |
=Videos/DVDs=
- OH NO! It's The Franciscus Henri Video (1992)
- I'm Hans Christian Andersen (1994)
- Hello MISTER WHISKERS! (1998)
- My Favourite Nursery Rhymes (2000)
- Sing a Song in Singapore
Awards and nominations
=APRA Music Awards=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Nominated works ! Award ! Result ! Ref ! Notes |
|---|
| 1995
|"We Like Wearing Pyjamas" |Most Performed Children's Work |{{nominated}} |Nominated as songwriter |
=ARIA Music Awards=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Nominated works ! Award ! Result |
|---|
| 1992
|Dancing in the Kitchen |rowspan="7" |Best Children's Album |{{nominated}} |
| 1993
|Walking on the Milky Way |{{nominated}} |
| 1994
|My Favourite Nursery Rhymes |{{nominated}} |
| 1995
|I'm Hans Christian Andersen |{{nominated}} |
| 1997
|Mr Whiskers |{{nominated}} |
| 1999
|Hooray for Mr Whiskers |{{nominated}} |
| 2000
|Monkey Business |{{nominated}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia?action=PASearch&mode=subject&complete1=true&attribute1=subject&term1=+Henri%2C+Franciscus Franciscus Henri]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} portraits at Picture Australia, National Library of Australia.
- {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323052406/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/ling/stories/s1354214.htm |date=23 March 2010 |title=Interview }} with Lyn Gallacher on ABC Radio National on 30 April 2005 regarding Nothing Fixed or Final. Archived from [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/ling/stories/s1354214.htm the original] on 23 March 2010.
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henri, Franciscus}}
Category:Australian children's musicians
Category:Australian folk musicians
Category:Dutch emigrants to Australia
Category:Australian guitarists
Category:Musicians from Melbourne
Category:Australian record producers
Category:Naturalised citizens of Australia
Category:Australian Christians
Category:Australian folk singers
Category:Australian pop singers
Category:Australian male guitarists
Category:Australian male singer-songwriters
Category:Australian singer-songwriters