The only thing better than an excellent cinematic score in a film is listening to that score live – and for lovers of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, escaping into the film’s fantasy is about to become a reality.
For those looking for an exciting evening out on the town, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has you covered. After a string of sold-out performances of How to Train Your Dragon in Concert, a new adventure awaits concertgoers in August 2026, as the sequel is returning to the big screen, this time with the MSO by its side, bringing the film’s magical world to life through a performance that is sure to give you goosebumps.
Conducted by Nicholas Buc, How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert features composer John Powell’s thrilling score performed live to HD picture at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Whether you grew up watching the How to Train Your Dragon films, have young ones obsessed with the story, or just recently got into the world after the live-action was released in 2025, you would know the film’s score is what makes it stand out from the rest of DreamWorks Animation’s masterpieces.
There’s a reason why How to Train Your Dragon 2 won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, and it’s not just because of its heartbreaking plot and characters.
Ahead of this string of performances, Buc spoke to WHO about what makes the score so special, and the power that a live orchestra can bring to the cinematic experience.
“From the very opening scene, this is a score that really bowls you over with its audacity and vigour,” he enthuses. “It’s high energy from the get-go and signals that you’re in for a wild ride.
“There’s a heartbreaking moment where Gobber [one of the core characters in the film] is giving a speech, with Powell’s music gently underscoring the emotion. It builds and builds, giving way to a moment of pure cinema – just music and images creating one of the most stirring and powerful moments in the film. There’ll be goosebumps for sure.”
The ‘stamina required’ to perform the How to Train Your Dragon 2 score is ‘a real challenge’
As noted by Buc, “emotionally, the score covers such huge ground, from tender, intimate themes to full-blown battle music.” However, this requires the orchestra “to shift gears instantly to match that,” creating a performance much more technical than audiences would have initially thought.
“Technically, it’s just as demanding because every hit, swell and silence has to land in perfect sync with the picture,” he adds. “For the orchestra, the sheer physicality of the playing is a real challenge, and composer John Powell has even admitted that this was never intended to be performed live when he originally wrote it.
“The stamina required, especially by the brass, is very high and so the players need to manage that just like athletes.”
How to Train Your Dragon 2 has a ‘cult following’ from both adults and children alike
The conductor mused on how, surprisingly, “the adult fandom is very high for this film.” However, as someone who spent their teenage years obsessed with the adventures of Hiccup and Toothless, I can attest that Buc is spot on.
“It’s remarkable that this series has received such a cult following in such a short space of time,” he reflected. “But the joy of hearing the squeals of delight from children as they react to both the film and the music never gets old, and it’s a beautiful reminder that they are here in the concert hall creating precious memories that will hopefully bring them back for years to come.”
An experience like this isn’t just for the fans (or rather, parents of fans) of How to Train Your Dragon; it’s for those looking to experience and invest in art that is real and tangible, fostering an appreciation for everything live music can offer for years to come.
The piece from the score that gives Buc the biggest adrenaline rush
If you love the franchise, you’re sure to have songs from the score that are your absolute favourites, for reasons only you can explain. However, when chatting to Buc about his favourite songs to conduct from the film, his reasoning was much more personal than audiences would initially expect.
“Flying with Mother is the one for me,” he said. “It’s got that soaring, sweeping quality that just lifts me off the podium (in the best way!), and conducting it live with the film is one of the real highlights of the whole concert.
“Powell’s music is both fun and beautiful, a strange combination that is not easy to achieve. It just leaves you uplifted and smiling.”
If given the choice to turn any other animated film into a live concert experience tomorrow, the conductor revealed which one would be at the top of his wish list.
“I really love the music of Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi,” he said. “So I’d have to pick Spirited Away for the sheer beauty of the score and how much storytelling it carries without dialogue.”
So, while he is very much immersed in the musical world of Powell’s score, there’s certainly much more to come for this conductor.
What is the plot of How to Train Your Dragon 2?
How to Train your Dragon 2 continues the story of Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, as they explore the world beyond their home on the island of Berk.
When they discover a secret ice cave filled with wild dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider, they find themselves in an epic battle to secure the future of humans and dragons alike.
How to book tickets to How to Train Your Dragon 2?
How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert is running from the 27 – 30 August 2026 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne.
From Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th, the concert runs from 7:30 pm. For the final performance on Sunday 30th, the concert runs from 1 pm.
Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase at mso.com.au.
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