Cuban National Choir hit by defections

TORONTO, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Eleven members of the 40-member Cuban National Choir have defected in Toronto during a concert tour through Canada.

The defections left the choir short of baritones and bass singers, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday. The program was altered and the tour has continued to rave reviews.

The defections occurred Oct. 24, the night before the group was to travel from Toronto to British Columbia. Some of the singers had carefully planned their defections, while others left on impulse when they realized what was happening, the Herald said.

Cuban-Canadian Foundation President Ismael Sambra said he had to send an extra car to the hotel when it was realized the group of defectors had grown.

Sambra said Cuban exiles in Toronto housed the defectors, some of whom are now in the United States with relatives.

The choir still has two more Canadian concerts this week before heading back to Cuba. The tour's promoter said if any more singers plan to defect, he hopes they will wait until after the tour ends.