Franciscus Henri

Franciscus Henricus Antheunis Jr. was born on 7 August 1947 in The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1956 his family migrated to Australia. He finished his education here and qualified as a secondary arts and craft teacher. In October 1969 he performed at the 1st Annual Festival of Gospel Music with Faye Meadows, David Meadows, Leonie Hawthorn and the 3-in-1 Gospel Jazz Trio.

In 1970 he came to national prominence as a folk musician on the television talent quest New Faces, which led to a recording contract with Melbourne independent label Fable Records – label boss Ron Tudor was a judge on the show. In September 1970 Fable issued his debut single, Mary and Me; further singles and the LP Ding Dong Who Rang the Bell (1972) followed. His second album, Gabriel's Mother's Highway (Move Records, 1972), has been described as “a refreshing folk album … a slightly religious but innocent era”.

In 1972 he toured with English poet Sydney Carter. The following year he left teaching to join the Monash University Theatre company as set designer, actor and musician, taking part in the Alexander Theatre productions of Puckoon and Under Milk Wood (both 1974), Laertes (1970s) and Giant John (1975). In 1976 he toured Australia and New Zealand supporting the English-Irish comedian Spike Milligan, formed a production company, and began producing performances around the country with state arts councils.

Later work includes Nothing Fixed or Final, the words and music of Sydney Carter as performed by Henri, presented throughout Victoria and in Boston, US. In London, UK, he appeared in the Sydney Carter memorial concert (October 2007). He has received seven ARIA Award nominations for his recording work and is also an exhibiting painter.