Baltic–Soviet relations military measures." In mid-June 1940, when international attention was focused on the German invasion of France, Soviet NKVD troops raided border posts in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. State administrations were liquidated and replaced by Soviet cadres, Elections were held with single pro-Soviet candidates listed for many positions, with resulting peoples assemblies immediately requested admission into the USSR, which was granted by the Soviet Union. Germany invaded and occupied the territories of Baltic states in 1941 during "Operation Barbarossa". At the beginning the Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians hoped that the Germans would reestablish Baltic independence. Such political hopes soon evaporated and
Baltic State Opera opera "Madame Curie". This work was commissioned by the Baltic Opera, although its first performance took place in Paris in November 2011, within the framework of the Cultural Programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. "Madame Curie" was also the first production in the Opera Gedanensis series, a project which is being realised by the Baltic Opera. Outside of the major operatic repertoire, Polish premieres which took place in the Baltic Opera include: Notes Baltic State Opera Baltic Opera (formerly Baltic State Opera) is an opera company located in Gdańsk, Poland. It began in February 1949 as the