It also acts as the opera orchestra of the Lucerne Theatre.
The precursor ensemble to the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1806, and had the name Allgemeinen Musikgesellschaft Luzern (General Music Society of Lucerne).
The orchestra has commissioned new compositions from such composers as David Philip Hefti (Klangbogen) and Wolfgang Rihm (Nähe Fern).
[2][5] In 2010, Michael Sanderling first guest-conducted the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra.
In November 2019, the orchestra announced the appointment of Sanderling as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021–2022 season.