Ms. Harue Miyake, noted for such operatic roles as Countess Rosine in "Le Nozze di Figaro" and Tsu in "Yuzuru," as well as oratorio, spirituals and Japanese songs, passed away of natural causes on December 9. She was 87 years old.

 One of the founders of Japan's foremost opera company, the Nikikai Opera Theatre, Ms. Miyake was still captivating audiences when she performed a recital at the age of 80. As a professor of voice at Ferris University, she was a dedicated educator who also worked at training many outstanding vocalists in Kyushu and elsewhere. Her musical legacy is great and her loss occasioned much sorrow. A funeral service of hymns held at the Church of Christ in Japan, Tsurumi (Yokohama) for Ms. Miyake was attended by many of her admirers, co-workers and students.