The Dresden Staatskapelle is an orchestra based in Dresden. It was founded in 1548, which makes it one the oldest orchestras in the world.

The orchestra has had many eminent chief conductors. In its early years, Heinrich Schütz was associated with it, and in the 19th century Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner were both chief conductors. In the 20th century, Richard Strauss became closely associated with it, as both a conductor and a composer, with several of his works being premiered by the ensemble. Karl Böhm and Rudolf Kempe were also chief conductors.

Herbert Blomstedt has been musical director of the Dresden Staatskapelle from 1975 to 1985. With them he recorded a complete cycle of Beethoven's nine symphonies.

Giuseppe Sinopoli was its chief conductor at the time of his death in 2001. In August 2002, Bernard Haitink took up the post.