Carl August Bünte, who had been chief conductor of the Berliner Symphonisches Orchester, was the first chief conductor of the newly formed ensemble, and held the position until 1973.
In 2004, the Berlin Senate withdrew its support of the orchestra, which subsequently entered bankruptcy proceedings.
Subsequently, the Berolina Orchester eV association took over management of the orchestra.
Since 2019, the current Intendantin (managing director) of the orchestra is Sabine Völker, the first woman to hold the post.
In April 2021, the orchestra announced the appointment of Hansjörg Schellenberger as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021-2022 season.