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

Support this podcast, Donate to JOY; Become a member

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
Michelle’s Silent Wish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:08
Melbourne based vocalist and composer Michelle Nicolle visited the Bent Notes studio upon the occaision of the release of her 11th album – THE SILENT WISH. Michelle was about to leave Australia for a visit to America to…
Austin Outlines his Piano Trio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:20
Perth based Pianist and composer Austin Salisbury spoke of his musical journey to date and bringing his piano trio to the Eastern States to launch their new album – OUTLINES – at the Church St Studios in Camperdown (NSW)…
Emotions and the Gospel & Spiritual Jazz of Reginald Mobley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:07
Pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky chatted about emotion in music, from composer, arranger, engineer, performer and the listener; and how vocalists have the greateast opportunity to imbue their vocal works with emotion.…
Time is Truth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:31
Andrew Harrison is a musician who composes to order. His new EP – Time Is Truth – is a work he was commissioned to create by a gay couple wishing to celebrate 20 years of relationship committment in a very special way. A…
Lee’s Mosaic Storytelling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:55
Lee Orszaczky, co-leader of the Sydney based music collective MOSAIC, spoke with Bent Notes about his family musical upbringing, including exposure to a broad range of great music; as well as some of his experiences as a…
Alastair’s Jobim Panorama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
Alastair Kerr, one of Australia’s leading exponents of Brazilian percussion and jazz drumming, visited the Bent Notes studio to chat about his love of Brasilian jazz, the wonderful music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, and his…
Paper Tiger pushing the boundaries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
Saxophonist Jamie Oehlers spoke with Bent Notes about the inspiration he received from hearing and seeing the saxaphone in popular music of the 80’s; and starting his musical journey at school with a year of learning and…
Rob’s Approach to Jazz, Research and Barlines & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
Saxophonist, Educator, Researcher and Educational Author Rob Burke visited the Bent Notes studio to chat about how the definition of Jazz has changed ove the years, and how that change has been driven in part by the diff…
Michael’s International Festival Preview 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
Michael Tortoni, Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, visited the Bent Notes studio to talk about the team working with him to curate and activate the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and…