Franciscus Henri
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| Franciscus Henri | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Franciscus Henricus Antheunis |
| Born | August 7, 1947  The Hague, The Netherlands |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter, Children's entertainer |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, Guitar |
| Website | http://www.franciscushenri.com http://www.misterwhiskers.com |
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/Australian 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.
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[edit] History
Born in The Hague, The Netherlands, Henri came to Australia in 1956, where he finished schooling and became a qualified secondary arts and craft teacher. 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[1], and released his first album under his new moniker, Hello MISTER WHISKERS, which was nominated for the Best Children's Album Aria Award[2].
He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival[3] and Port Fairy Folk Festival (seven times)[4]; 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[5]. He has presented it through out Victoria and recently in Boston USA. 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[2].
Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter.
[edit] Discography
[edit] 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 | 33 rpm | Move Records |
| 1975 | Pigtails | 33 rpm | Crest Records |
| 1976 | Lord of the Dance | 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 | 33 rpm | Fable Records |
| 1989 | Tree House | 33 rpm | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) |
[edit] Releases on CD
| Year | Album name | Distributor | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Tree House | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1990 | White Pyjamas | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1991 | Dancing in The Kitchen | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [2] |
| 1992 | Walking on The Milkyway | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [2] |
| 1993 | Merry Christmas | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1993 | Franciscus Henri - My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [2] |
| 1994 | Stories and Songs | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | (Spoken Word) album |
| 1994 | Hans Christian Anderson | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [2] |
| 1997 | Hello Mister Whiskers | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | Nominated for Aria: Best Children's Album [2] |
| 1998 | Hooray for Mister Whiskers | ABC Music (ABC for Kids) | |
| 1998 | Mister Whiskers: My Favourite Nursery Rhymes | 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) | |
| 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 |
[edit] 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
[edit] References
- ^ Herald Sun, May 19th, 1997
- ^ a b c d e f g ARIA Awards 2007 : History: Winners by Artist
- ^ Raffi, (1998). The Life of a Children's Troubadour: An Autobiography, Homeland Press
- ^ 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 - ^ Stainer & Bell: Sydney Carter
[edit] External links
- Franciscus Henri Homepage
- MISTER WHISKERS Character Homepage
- A transcription of an interview on ABC Radio National regarding Nothing Fixed or Final
- Franciscus Henri on YouTube
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Antheunis, Franciscus Henricus |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Henri, Franciscus |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Musician and children's entertainer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 7, 1947 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | The Hague, Netherlands |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
