Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus Henri (born 7 August 1947,

The Hague The Hague ( ; nl, Den Haag or ) is a city and municipality of the Netherlands, situated on the west coast facing the North Sea. The Hague is the country's administrative centre and its seat of government, and while the official capital of ...

The Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

), is a musician and children's entertainer. He has dual

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

n nationality. In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed in the TV talent quest ''

New Faces ''New Faces'' is a British television talent show that aired in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been hosted by Leslie Crowther, Derek Hobson and Marti Caine. It was produced for the ITV network by ATV, and later by Central. Original series: 197 ...

'', 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

. In 1956, his father, Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Sr., (born 25 October 1914) and his mother Pietertje (

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...

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). 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. In 1970 he gained national prominence when he competed as a folk musician on a TV talent quest, ''

'', which led to a recording contract with the Melbourne-based independent label Fable Records – label boss,

Ron Tudor Ronald Stewart Tudor MBE (18 May 1924 – 21 August 2020) was an Australian music producer, engineer, label owner and record industry executive. He started his career with W&G Records in 1956 as a sales representative; he became their in-hous ...

, was a judge on ''New Faces''. 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 ''Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell'' was the debut album by Franciscus Henri, released in 1972 by Fable Records, on 33 rpm vinyl record. Henri himself painted the album's jacket and he recorded the album at top Melbourne studio Armstrong Studios, who ...

'' (1972). His second album, ''

Gabriel's Mother's Highway ''Gabriel's Mother's Highway'' is the second studio album by Dutch-Australian folk and gospel musician Franciscus Henri. The album was released in September 1972 by Move Records, as a 33 rpm vinyl record. It includes five tracks written by Eng ...

'' (1972) is described as "a refreshing folk album ... a slightly religious but innocent era". In 1972 Henri toured with English poet

Sydney Carter Sydney Bertram Carter (6 May 1915 – 13 March 2004) was an English poet, songwriter, and folk musician who was born in Camden Town, London. He is best known for the song " Lord of the Dance" (1967), whose music is based on the " Shaker Allegro" ...

, and in 1973 he left teaching to join the

Monash University Monash University () is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named for prominent World War I general Sir John Monash, it was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. The university has a ...

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). In 1976 he toured throughout Australia and

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

supporting the English-Irish comedian

Spike Milligan Terence Alan "Spike" Milligan (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002) was an Irish actor, comedian, writer, musician, poet, and playwright. The son of an English mother and Irish father, he was born in British Raj, British Colonial India, where h ...

. 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 ''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 ...

'', a children's television show, presenting his own segments as himself and, as an early alter-ego, Professor Henri. By 1982, Henri was married. 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 London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. In 1997 he started performing to children as his new character, MISTER WHISKERS, and released his first album under his new

moniker A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

, ''

Hello Mister Whiskers ''Hello Mister Whiskers'' is a children's music album by Franciscus Henri. It was released in 1997 under ABC Music's " ABC For Kids" children's label on compact disc. It was released in 1997 by ABC Music ABC are the first three letters of th ...

'', which was nominated for the Best Children's Album

Aria Award The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...

. He has performed across the globe, including festivals such as: the Vancouver International Children's Festival and

Port Fairy Folk Festival The Port Fairy Folk Festival is an annual four-day music festival based in the historic fishing village of Port Fairy in Victoria, Australia. History The festival began on 2 December 1977 under the theme of "Australian and Irish Traditional Mu ...

(seven times); and (as MISTER WHISKERS) is the only performer to have played at every

Warrnambool Warrnambool ( Maar: ''Peetoop'' or ''Wheringkernitch'' or ''Warrnambool'') is a city on the south-western coast of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 census, Warrnambool had a population of 35,743. Situated on the Princes Highway, Warrnambool (Al ...

''Fun 4 Kids Festival'' since its inception 1998. He has also performed in Singapore a number of times with the

Singapore Symphony Orchestra The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a symphony orchestra based in Singapore. Its principal concert venue is the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The orchestra also gives concerts at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, and performs abou ...

. 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 Cavoukian, ( hy, Րաֆֆի, born July 8, 1948), known professionally by the mononym Raffi, is a Canadian singer-lyricist and author of Armenian descent born in Egypt, best known for his children's music. He developed his career as a " ...

His most recent work is ''

Nothing Fixed or Final ''Nothing Fixed or Final'', released in 2005 under Franciscus Henri Productions, is a collection of songs and poems written by poet Sydney Carter, performed by Franciscus Henri Franciscus Henricus Antheunis, professionally known as Franciscus ...

'', the words and music of

, as performed by Henri.Stainer & Bell: Sydney Carter
/ref> He has presented it throughout Victoria and recently in Boston US. In London UK. he performed in the

memorial concert(Oct 2007) He has so far received seven

ARIA In music, an aria (Italian: ; plural: ''arie'' , or ''arias'' in common usage, diminutive form arietta , plural ariette, or in English simply air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompanime ...

award nominations for his various recording work. Franciscus is also an exhibiting painter.

Discography

* 1972 ''

'' * 1972 ''

'' * 1975 ''

Pigtails A woman with long pigtails and braids. In the context of hairstyles, the usage of the term pigtail (or twin tail or twintail) shows considerable variation. The term may refer to a single braid, but is more frequently used in the plural ("pi ...

'' * 1976 ''Lord of the Dance'' * 1981 '' Sunshine Rainbows and Violins'' * 1981 '' Children's Christmas Songs'' * 1985 ''Fifty Golden Nursery Rhymes'' * 1988 ''

Tree House A tree house, tree fort or treeshed is a platform or building constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, a han ...

Releases on CD

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''

References

External links

*
Franciscus Henri
portraits at Picture Australia, National Library of Australia. * with Lyn Gallacher on

ABC Radio National Radio National, known on-air as RN, is an Australia-wide public service broadcasting radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). From 1947 until 1985, the network was known as ABC Radio 2. History 1937: Predecessors an ...

on 30 April 2005 regarding ''Nothing Fixed or Final''. Archived fro
the original
on 23 March 2010. {{DEFAULTSORT:Henri, Franciscus 1947 births Living people Australian children's musicians Australian folk musicians Dutch emigrants to Australia Australian guitarists Musicians from Melbourne Australian record producers Australian singer-songwriters Naturalised citizens of Australia Australian Christians Australian folk singers Australian pop singers Acoustic guitarists Australian male guitarists Australian male singer-songwriters