Franciscus Henri

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Franciscus Henri

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 childrens' entertainer. He is Dutch born, but has adopted 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.

1 History
2 Discography
3 References
4 External Links

[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.

Franciscus Henri as MISTER WHISKERS, with his dog SMIGGY

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 it's 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.

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.

He has so far received seven ARIA award nominations for his various recording work^[2].

Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter and the treasurer for Free Speech Victoria.

[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-relaease 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