The Story of ‘STELLA’ – by Monique diMattina

The Story of ‘STELLA’ – by Monique diMattina

Author: JOY 94.9 - LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Podcasts for all our Rainbow Communities October 4, 2023 Duration: 18:22

Monique diMattina

Stella Miiles Franklin was an Australian author, activist and feminist, leaving an endowment behind celebrating Australian Literature in the form of the annual  Miles Franklin Award.  However, Stella was much more than an author!

Inspired by the dramatic and exciting life story of Stella Miles Franklin, Melbourne based composer, vocalist and pianist Monique diMattina has written a new musical – STELLA – about the life of Stella Miles Franklin.

Monique has developed the music and script to the degree that it is ready for a public workshop performance before the next stage of development for the theatrical stage in 2024.

Moniquie spoke about the process to date, the admiration that she has for Stella, and shared her excitement at the both the opportunity for the workshops presentations and the cast she has assembled for the workshops including Alma Zygier, Xani Kolac, Fem Belling, Esther Henderson, Sam Lemann, Cat Canteri, Ben Robertson, Adrian Perger, Kalina Krusteva, Zara Giacobello, Darcy Kent and Monique herself.

STELLA – The Miles Franklin Story is in workshop mode at The Jazzlab on October 6,7 & 8, 2023

Hear what Monique had to say when she spoke with David Moyle on Bent Notes in this podcast from JOY 94.9.

Monique diMattina was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 24, 2023
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
JOY 94.9 – Out.Loud.Proud – Your Voice – Your Radio Station

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The post The Story of ‘STELLA’ – by Monique diMattina appeared first on Bent Notes.


Tune into Bent Notes for a vibrant exploration of jazz that stretches across decades and defies easy categorization. This podcast, from the team at JOY 94.9, is more than a simple music show; it’s a curated journey through sound that connects the dots between the foundational rhythms of ragtime and the innovative pulses of contemporary remixes. Each episode serves as both a listening session and a conversation, weaving together tracks with thoughtful commentary and engaging interviews that provide context and highlight the artists-particularly those from LGBTIQA+ and rainbow communities-who have shaped and continue to redefine this ever-evolving genre. You’ll hear stories behind the music, discover new interpretations of classic sounds, and gain a deeper appreciation for jazz’s incredible diversity. Whether you're a lifelong aficionado or simply curious about where the music can go, this podcast offers a fresh and inclusive perspective, celebrating the rich, sometimes unconventional, and always compelling history of jazz in all its forms.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Bent Notes
Podcast Episodes
The Soul Journey of vocalist Chris McNulty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
Chris McNulty visited the Bent Notes studio and chatted about the skill of singing with excellent diction, discussed whether lived experience is the only path to imparting the emotion and meaning of a song to the audienc…
Publicity, Music Consulting – Jenny Sparks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
What does a Publicist and International Music Consultant do? Find out in this Podcast from JOY 94.9 where Jenny Sparks visited the Bent Notes studio to chat about her life as a Publicist and International Music Consultan…
Mama remembers Billie Holiday after 110 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:33
Jazz singer, cabaret artiste & gender transcendent diva Mama Alto, visited the Bent Notes studio and spoke about using Strength in Softness and Power in Vulnerability in her songs and other presentations; and her love of…
Alma Zygier – Music from Ultrasound to Bandwagon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:08
Alma Zygier was a Music Video Star before she was born – and continues to make fabulous music. Hear Alma chat about that the pre-birth creativity; her music and getting into a song and singing with feeling so that the au…
The Cloudmaker Celebrate Their Goddesses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:43
Freya Schack-Arnott spoke about her music playing the cello and the Nyckelharpa, and the music of The Cloudmaker ensemble. Their music celebrates goddesses from each of the five band members cultures, sharing thier folkl…
Monique’s Big Jazz Day Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:31
Monique DiMattina spoke about the learnings that take place on the bandstand and the joy of watching younger musicians grow in their skills and confidence on the bandstand as they perfom. Monique also chatted about perfo…
Big Jazz Day Out At Monash Uni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:44
Chelsea Wilson, Senior Producer, Contemporary Music at Monash University Performing Arts, spoke with David Moyle on Bent Notes about Gender Inclusivity in Jazz and Australian Music; and producing this year’s Big Jazz Day…
Jennifer’s New Muse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:11
Jennifer Salisbury visited the Bent Notes studio to chat about reimagining a composition of hers from some years ago called Oh Muse. Jennifer brought in the talents of Mark Morand to rearrange the accompaniment for guita…
Jazz and Powerful Poetry: Callum Pask & SOLCHLD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
Brisbane based pianist, composer, band leader and educator Callum Pask visited the Bent Notes studio to chat about his music and introduce us to a new album his trio has collaborated on from Brisbane based multi-discipli…
French & Jazz Inspired Music from Jo Abbott’s Sanfona Ensemble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
Melbourne based composer, arranger and Piano Accordian player Jo Abbott visited the Bent Notes Studio to chat about her musical development from Classical to Jazz inspired music. Early in her musical education Jo discove…