Originally presented under the protection of Madame de Pompadour, this allegory of nymphs and shepherds addresses political rivalries that just might go over a contemporary audience’s head. Tant pis. With William Christie and his period ensemble Les Arts Florissants on the case, the musical values are sure to delight. Still more intriguing, the MacArthur Fellow Basil Twist is in full charge of the physical production, directing as well as designing the whole shebang, from sets and costumes to the long-stemmed puppets that are the heart and soul of his theatrical vision. —M.G.