Franciscus Henri
Encyclopedia
Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus Henri (born 7 August 1947), is an internationally known musician and children's entertainer. He is Dutch
born. He has dual Dutch
/Australia
n nationality. He performs as himself and also as his alter-ego Mister Whiskers, a travelling singer who loves children and performs for them with his dog companion, Smiggy.
, The Netherlands
, Henri came to Australia in 1956, where he finished schooling and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. He gained national exposure when he competed in the TV talent quest New Faces in 1970, which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records, for whom he recorded several singles and an LP between 1970 and 1972. He toured with poet Sydney Carter
in 1972, then left teaching in 1973 to join the Monash University
Theatre company as a set designer, actor and musician.
In 1975 he toured throughout Australia
and New Zealand
with the English comedian Spike Milligan
.
Franciscus Henri Productions Pty Ltd was formed in that year, and began producing performances throughout Australia in conjunction with state arts councils.
Henri was a member of the original cast of the Shirl's Neighbourhood
Television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri.
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, and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello MISTER WHISKERS, which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award
.
He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival
and Port Fairy Folk Festival
(seven times); 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. 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.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
born. He has dual Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
/Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n nationality. He performs as himself and also as his alter-ego Mister Whiskers, a travelling singer who loves children and performs for them with his dog companion, Smiggy.
History
Born in The HagueThe Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, The Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Henri came to Australia in 1956, where he finished schooling and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. He gained national exposure when he competed in the TV talent quest New Faces in 1970, which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records, for whom he recorded several singles and an LP between 1970 and 1972. He toured with poet Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter
Sydney Bertram Carter was an English poet, songwriter, folk musician, born in Camden Town, London. He is best known for the song "Lord of the Dance" , set to the tune of the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts", and the song "The Crow on the Cradle", adapted from an old folk song...
in 1972, then left teaching in 1973 to join the Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
Theatre company as a set designer, actor and musician.
In 1975 he toured throughout Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
with the English comedian Spike Milligan
Spike Milligan
Terence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...
.
Franciscus Henri Productions Pty Ltd was formed in that year, and began producing performances throughout Australia in conjunction with state arts councils.
Henri was a member of the original cast of the Shirl's Neighbourhood
Shirl's Neighbourhood
Shirl's Neighbourhood was an Australian afternoon children's television series aired on the Seven Network between 1979 and 1983. The half-hour show featured former Skyhooks frontman Graeme "Shirley" Strachan and co-host Liz Rule alongside a cast of characters including Norm The Kangaroo, Ol'...
Television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri.
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
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In 1997 he started performing to children as his new character, MISTER WHISKERS, and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello MISTER WHISKERS, which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
.
He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival
Children's Festival
The Vancouver International Children's Festival is an annual event that is a major tourist attraction in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2008, the Festival ran May 12-19 at Vancouver's Vanier Park...
and Port Fairy Folk Festival
Port Fairy Folk Festival
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is a popular annual four-day music festival based in the historic fishing village of Port Fairy in Victoria, Australia....
(seven times); 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
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a 96 members professional symphony orchestra. Its main performing venue is the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore although it has also toured widely in Asia, Europe and the United States...
.
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
Raffi (musician)
Raffi Cavoukian, CM, OBC , better known by his stage name Raffi, is a Canadian-Armenian singer-songwriter, author, essayist and lecturer...
His most recent work is Nothing Fixed or Final, the words and music of Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter
Sydney Bertram Carter was an English poet, songwriter, folk musician, born in Camden Town, London. He is best known for the song "Lord of the Dance" , set to the tune of the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts", and the song "The Crow on the Cradle", adapted from an old folk song...
, as performed by Henri. He has presented it throughout Victoria and recently in Boston US. In London UK. he performed in the Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter
Sydney Bertram Carter was an English poet, songwriter, folk musician, born in Camden Town, London. He is best known for the song "Lord of the Dance" , set to the tune of the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts", and the song "The Crow on the Cradle", adapted from an old folk song...
memorial concert(Oct 2007)
He has so far received seven ARIA
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
award nominations for his various recording work.
Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter.
Releases on Vinyl
| Year | Album name | Type | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | A side: "MARY AND ME", B side: "WERE YOU THERE – WERE YOU EVER" (F.Henri) | 45 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1971 | A side: "ALL I WANT" (F.Henri), B side: "SONG FOR JENNY" (F.Henri) | 45 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1972 | A side: "TURN YOU ROUND", B side: "THROW ME" (F.Henri) | 45 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1972 | Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell | 33 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1972 | A side: "DING DONG WHO RANG THE BELL" B side: "THE FOX" (Trad - F.Henri) | 45 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1972 | Gabriel's Mother's Highway Gabriel's Mother's Highway Gabriel's Mother's Highway was released in 1972 under Move Records, on 33 rpm vinyl record.-Track listing:#Gabriel's Mother’s Highway#Bitter was The Night #Coming or Going Away #Green Like The Leaves #Sixty Years On... |
33 rpm | Move Records |
| 1975 | Pigtails Pigtails (Franciscus Henri album) Pigtails is an album by Franciscus Henri released in 1975 on Crest Records.-Track listing:#Entertaining#Sing#Old Witch#I Love#Randolph the Rat#Shimmer Swimmer#What’s it Like?#Playing the Piano#Pigtails#Hi-Lilly Hi-Lo# What Can You Do?#Snail... |
33 rpm | Crest Records |
| 1976 | Lord of the Dance Lord of the Dance (Franciscus Henri album) Lord of the Dance is an album by Franciscus Henri released in 1976 under Crest Records on 33 rpm vinyl record.-Track listing:# "John" Vanguard# "Lord of the Dance" Stainer and Bell... |
33 rpm | Crest Records |
| 1981 | Sunshine Rainbows and Violins | 33 rpm | John Bye Productions |
| 1981 | Children's Christmas Songs | 33 rpm | John Bye Productions |
| 1985 | Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes was released in 1985 under Fable Records on 33 rpm vinyl record. This album has had a "checkered career"having been passed through various companies it is now owned by Franciscus Henri Productions Pty Ltd on behalf of the artist - the album is currently not... |
33 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1989 | Tree House Tree House (Franciscus Henri album) Tree House was recordeed in 1987 by Franciscus Henri in conjunction with The Lightning Creek Band, and released in 1989 for ABC Music on 33 rpm vinyl record and compact disc.-Track listing:# "Come to My Island" Tree House was recordeed in 1987 by Franciscus Henri in conjunction with The Lightning... |
33 rpm | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) |
Releases on CD
| Year | Album name | Distributor | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Tree House Tree House (Franciscus Henri album) Tree House was recordeed in 1987 by Franciscus Henri in conjunction with The Lightning Creek Band, and released in 1989 for ABC Music on 33 rpm vinyl record and compact disc.-Track listing:# "Come to My Island" Tree House was recordeed in 1987 by Franciscus Henri in conjunction with The Lightning... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1990 | White Pyjamas | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1991 | Dancing in the Kitchen | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1992 | Walking on the Milkyway | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1993 | Merry Christmas Merry Christmas (Franciscus Henri album) Merry Christmas is an album by Franciscus Henri. It was released in 1993 on CD by ABC Music's .-Track listing:#Christmas Bells #Mary Will You Be His Mum? #Hey, Hey, Hey She's Having A Baby... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1993 | Franciscus Henri - My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1994 | Stories and Songs Stories and Songs (Franciscus Henri album) Stories and Songs is a spoken word album, released in 1994, under ABC Music's on compact Disc.-Track listing:#BENJAMIN’S CHRISTMAS /Song- LONG WAY TO GO#THE AWFUL ADVENTURES OF ANDY ANT/ Song-GO WRONG DAY... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | (Spoken Word Spoken word Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events.... ) album |
| 1994 | Hans Christian Anderson Hans Christian Anderson (Franciscus Henri album) Hans Christian Andersen was released in 1994, under ABC Music's on compact Disc. It also received an Aria Nomination in that year for Best Children's Album.-Track listing:#I’M HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN#THE UGLY DUCKLING... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1997 | Hello Mister Whiskers Hello Mister Whiskers Hello Mister Whiskers is an album by Franciscus Henri. It was released in 1997 under ABC Music's "ABC for Kids" label on compact disc. It was the first album released by Franciscus with the pseudonym Mister Whiskers. In 1997, it was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Children's album.-Track... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1998 | Hooray for Mister Whiskers Hooray for Mister Whiskers Hooray for Mister Whiskers is a children's music album released by Franciscus Henri in 1998. It was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Children's Album in 1998, Henri's second year in a row nominated.-Track listing:... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... : Best Children's Album |
| 1998 | Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes is the 1998 re-release of Franciscus Henri - My Favourite Nursery Rhymes , both under ABC Music's "ABC For Kids" label. It achieved Gold sales certification due to sales in excess of 35,000 units in Australia... |
ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | A re-release of Franciscus Henri - My Favourite Nursery Rhymes |
| 1999 | Mister Whiskers: Monkey Business | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated fo Aria: Best Children's Album |
| 1999 | Board of Studies "Street Sense" - Road Safety Songs | n/a | |
| 2002 | The Best of Franciscus Henri | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 2003 | Explorer Semester One | Music Makers | |
| 2004 | Maestro Semester One | Music Makers | |
| 2004 | Explorer Semester Two | Music Makers | |
| 2004 | Maestro Semester Two | Music Makers | |
| 2005 | Nothing Fixed or Final | Franciscus Henri Productions | |
Videos/DVDs
- OH NO ! It's The Franciscus Henri Video
- I'm Hans Christian Andersen
- Hello MISTER WHISKERS!
- My Favourite Nursery Rhymes
- Sing a Song in Singapore