Who is Svengali?

Svengali is a fictional character from George du Maurier's 1894 novel "Trilby." He is depicted as a manipulative and controlling musician who uses hypnosis to dominate and exploit the title character, Trilby, turning her into a successful singer. The term "Svengali" has since become synonymous with someone who exerts excessive control over another person, particularly in the arts or entertainment. The character embodies themes of obsession, power, and the darker side of artistic influence.