Kabale und Liebe
Born in Vienna the daughter of a shoemaker, talented Wessely from about 1874 attended the drama school at the "Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde" conservatory. She gave her debut in 1876, performing as Luise in Schiller's "Intrigue and Love" at the Leipzig city theatre. She promoted her career by guest appearances in Berlin and Vienna, and in 1879 became a member of the Burgtheater ensemble receiving the honorific title of a "k.k. court actress" in 1884.