Founded in 2002, Pinchgut stages two operas each year in Sydney's City Recital Hall.

The company utilises the professional chamber choir Cantillation as its chorus and has engaged both the Sirius Ensemble and the Orchestra of the Antipodes.

Pinchgut draws most of its singers, players, directors and designers from Australia.

Antony Walker co-founded the company and conducted the early Pinchgut productions.

According to its website, the company chose the name "as we wanted something recognisably Sydney, easy to remember and as a reminder of our tight budgets and humble beginnings".