The Zagreb Philharmonic is an orchestra with a 150-year tradition of excellence in music-making in Zagreb and Croatia. It is a promoter of musical arts throughout Croatia and a cultural ambassador of Croatia in the world. Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra is a symbol of the city in which it operates, the music institution representing the urban image of Zagreb as a central hub of music, art and culture in Central Europe.

In 1871, professional orchestral-concert activity began in Zagreb, and in 1920, the orchestra got the name it still bears today. Throughout its history, it has brought the finest classical music to the Croatian capital and its story has been written by first-rate chief conductors: Friedrich Zaun, Milan Horvat, Lovro von Matačić, Mladen Bašić, Pavle Dešpalj, Kazushi Ono, Pavel Kogan, Alexander Rahbari, Vjekoslav Šutej and in the last decade, David Danzmayr and the newly appointed Dawid Runtz.

Many great conductors and prominent Croatian and international artists have performed with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra up to the present day.