Violet Gordon-Woodhouse

[wlmh65]

I wonder if anyone else who has read The Magus has found echoes between the "original" Lily character and Violet Gordon-Woodhouse, the Harpsichordist virtuosa of the late Victorian and Edwardian era. The ressemblances go far beyond the floral name. Is the young Conchis somewhat inspired by Violet's German émigré piano teacher Oscar Beringer? And so on....

Most interestingly to me, is Violet's photograph the model for the photograph of Lily in Conchis' room at Bourani?



I've searched widely and haven't seen that anyone has commented on this, but am curious to know of any such prior discussion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_Gordon-Woodhouse
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4704995/Violets-men-and-music.html