<p><i>Trilby</i> opens in the Latin Quarter of Paris where Trilby O'Ferrall works as an artist's model. Her grace and ingenuous charm make a poignant contrast to the cruel magnetism of Svengali under whose spell she falls. Using hypnotic powers Svengali shapes her into a virtuoso singer the toast of Europe but her golden voice and even her life become fatally tied to him.</p>