Although the attempts to create the first modern-type symphony orchestra in the city go back to the 18th century under the Austrian rule, the professional team was assembled in Kraków only during the imminent collapse of Austria-Hungary (1909), on the initiative of patriotic composer and music director Feliks Nowowiejski (b.
Soon after the return of Poland's sovereignty at the end of World War One, the company was reinstated, with an inaugural concert held on May 18, 1919 for the centennial anniversary of Stanisław Moniuszko's birthday, featuring 80 musicians.