Biography
Anton Karas (1906–1985) was an Austrian zither player and composer. He began playing the zither at the age of twelve and later took evening lessons in Vienna while performing in local wine taverns.
In 1948, while playing in a Vienna tavern, Karas met British film director Carol Reed. Reed invited him to compose and perform the score for the film The Third Man (1949). Karas created the music, including the "Harry Lime Theme," which he played on the zither throughout the film.
The success of the film and its theme brought Karas international recognition. He toured extensively, performed for members of the British royal family and other European royalty, and appeared before Pope Pius XII.
