A German vocal group whose members formerly sang as part of the Thomanerchor, the choir of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, die Prinzen (the Princes) are known for their a cappella performances (although a good deal of their material also features instrumental backing), generally on clever songs with clearly satirical and often political lyrics. Formed in the early '90s, die Prinzen include vocalists Tobias Künzel, Henn Schmidt, Sebastian Krumbiegel, Jens Sembdner, Wolfgang Lenk, drummer Ali Zierne, and bassist Matthias Dietrich, and they have continued to be an active concert and studio act into the new millennium. ~ Steve Leggett