Thomas Ritschel studied bassoon in Berlin, Stuttgart and in Norway. His orchestral employments included some of the most prestigious orchestras such as Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Staatsoper Stuttgart. Since 2020 he is Associated Musician at the Lucerne Chamber Orchestra Festival Strings, performing with soloists such as Rudolf Buchbinder, Midori, Martha Argerich, Helene Grimaud, James Galway in regular concerts at KKL Lucerne (Switzerland) and on numerous tours each year.

Thomas is a sought-after teacher. At the Landesmusikgymnasium in Halle (Saale) he is bassoon lecturer since 2021 for the most talented young bassoon students of Saxony-Anhalt. He is regularly invited for workshops at German universities such as Musikhochschule Rostock and Stuttgart.

His teaching approach emphasizes both the technical precision required for orchestral playing and the artistic sensitivity essential for opera accompaniment. Students benefit from his extensive experience in both symphonic and operatic repertoire. Thomas Ritschel has been teaching at the Berlin Opera Academy since 2024.