“Moby Dick, the eye of the sperm whale”: a dive between literature, music and oceanography at the UM

[Press release] - Published on 24 September 2026 in Art & Culture, Press area, Science-Society

On Thursday 8 October 2026, as part of the Fête de la Science, the University of Montpellier invites the public to discover Moby Dick, the eye of the sperm whale, a creation of the company Belle Pagaille that revisits Herman Melville’s masterpiece in light of current knowledge about cetaceans. A free show open to all, to discover on the Triolet campus, at 7pm.

What if one could hear the sperm whales singing through one of the greatest novels in world literature?Published in 1851, Moby Dick recounts Ishmael’s journey aboard the Pequod, whaling vessel launched in pursuit of the mysterious white sperm whale Moby Dick by Captain Ahab. This epic story serves as a starting point for the company Belle Pagaille, in creative residency at the UM from October 2025 to April 2026, to explore the world of cetaceans and confront Melville’s imagination with contemporary scientific knowledge.

A creation between theatre, music and objects

Driven by a refined staging, the creation is based on the meeting between an actress and a musician who give life to words, sounds and seascapes. Object theatre, origamis, noises, sound creations and radio codes make up a poetic universe where the public is called upon to embark for the wide.

Sounds captured through a hydrophone blend with original compositions and the singular vibrations of the Dan Bau, a traditional Vietnamese one-string instrument. Amplified, it reproduces with astonishing accuracy the songs of cetaceans and becomes the voice of the depths.

When research illuminates fiction

Written in collaboration with Aurélie Célerier, teacher-researcher at Cefe and specialist in marine mammals, rarely an adaptation of Moby Dick have maintained such a close dialogue with contemporary scientific research. His expertise has made it possible to anchor the show in current knowledge about sperm whales, their behaviour and their environment.

An exhibition designed with students

Ahead of the performance, the public will be able to discover a pedagogical exhibition created in collaboration with the students of the teaching unit. Integrated biology of marine mammals of the Faculty of Science, co-directed by Aurélie Célerier and Bastien Mérigot.

An evening to dream, learn and marvel.