A German philosopher, Schopenhauer placed the concepts of 'Will' and 'Representation' at the center of his philosophy. He bases the existence of the universe not on rational logic, but on a blind and painful desire/will to live that cannot be satisfied. His pessimistic philosophy, which seeks an escape from life and this suffering in 'Nirvana' or pure aesthetic contemplation, was first a refuge for Nietzsche, but later cursed as a 'disease' that Nietzsche fought against.
Developing Kant's philosophy, he defined the noumenal realm as 'Will'; by opposing the rigid German rationalism of the 19th century (Hegel etc.), he created a significant break in the history of thought.
Although no physical description is given in the text, he holds the status of the classic, solemn representative of the somber German school of philosophy.
Richard Wagner
The main philosophical foundation behind Wagner's music.
Friedrich Nietzsche
The former master whose philosophical genius nourished him in his early period but whose philosophy was later declared 'diseased/hostile to life'.