The orchestra was first known as the Debrecen MÁV Philharmonic Orchestra after it was formed in 1923 and in 1952 it became an independent institution. In 1991 it adopted the name of Debrecen Philharmonic Orchestra and since January 2006 has been jointly run with the Kodály Choir. Its artistic director is Balázs Kocsár who regularly directs opera performances in the Debrecen Csokonai Theatre as well as working in Germany, Switzerland and Holland.