Music: The Great Moulinié Hoax

The musty old basilica of St.-Denis, burial place of French kings, had seldom seen such polite excitement. As part of Paris' celebration of its 2,000th birthday last year, diplomats, dignitaries and celebrities turned out to hear a performance of old French music which was also being broadcast across Europe and to the U.S. Highlight: a recently discovered coronation mass billed as the work of 17th century Composer Etienne Moulinié.

The distinguished audience sat entranced as trumpets sounded from the heights of the basilica and Father Emile Martin's crack St.-Eustache choir gave full throat...