The ASO once again show mastery over a stunning film score with How To Train Your Dragon In Concert
Presented by: The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Reviewed: 13 June 2026
Time and time again, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra demonstrates that they are one of the finest orchestras in the world, and we are incredibly lucky to have so many opportunities to see these exceptional musicians at work.
One of their most popular events have been the “ASO Live at the Movies” series, which over the last few years has included Star Wars: A New Hope, movies from the Harry Potter franchise, and Back To The Future. This time, our beloved symphony orchestra presented How To Train Your Dragon, playing the remarkable score to an almost full house (no mean feat in the Adelaide Entertainment Centre!) while the film plays on the big screen. I can’t say enough how wonderful these events are, not only as a night of entertainment and appreciation of a great film score, but also as a gateway for children in particular to be exposed to live music in a really accessible way.
As a longtime fan of all things animation, I’ve seen this movie several times before, but this event really highlights the beauty of the score in a way I had never noticed before. On the surface it seems as though this little cartoon is punching above its weight with such a complex score, until you hear the name of the composer. John Powell is known for composing music for the Bourne franchise, Wicked and Wicked: For Good, Hancock, and a long list of animated movies for Dreamworks including Happy Feet and Shrek.
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, under the expert baton of Nicholas Buc, more than does justice to this remarkable score. In addition to the usual symphony orchestra instruments, this performance also included piano and keyboard, and an enormous range of percussion. Nicholas Buc leads a tight ship; his timing of the score with the film is flawless and the orchestra works in perfect unity. Further to this, the range of expression the orchestra evokes is simply gorgeous. At times it’s very difficult to decide what to watch: the film being shown, or the orchestra displaying their mastery.
The sound mix is perfect, an excellent balance that is appropriately present but never dominating the dialogue of the film.
How To Train Your Dragon In Concert only showed for one performance. However, next up in the ASO Live at the Movies series is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 In Concert on 31st October, so grab a ticket while you still can.
Reviewed by: Kristin Stefanoff
Photo credit: Saige Prime
Venue: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Season: 13th June 2026
Duration: 2.5 hrs including interval
