We study the elliptic algebras Q n,k (E, τ ) introduced by Feigin and Odesskii as a generalization of Sklyanin algebras. They form a family of quadratic algebras parametrized by coprime integers n > k ≥ 1, an elliptic curve E, and a point τ ∈ E. We compare several different definitions of these algebras and provide proofs of various statements about them made by Feigin and Odesskii. For example, we show that Q n,k (E, 0), and Q n,n−1 (E, τ ) for generic τ , are polynomial rings on n variables. We also show thatThis paper is the first of several we are writing about the algebras Q n,k (E, τ ). Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. Notation and conventions 1.2. The algebras Q n,k (E, τ ) 1.3. The contents of subsequent papers 1.4. The contents of this paper 1.5. Acknowledgements 2. Theta functions in one variable 2.1. The spaces Θ n (Λ) and Riemann's theta function 2.2. The standard basis for Θ n (Λ) 2.3. Θ n (Λ) as a representation of the Heisenberg group 2.4. Embedding E in P n−1 via Θ n (Λ) 2.5. Another basis for Θ n (Λ) 3. The algebras Q n,k (E, τ ) 3.1. The definition of Q n,k (E, τ ) and R n,k (E, τ ) when τ / ∈ 1 n Λ 3.2. The definition of Q n,k (E, τ ) and R n,k (E, τ ) when τ ∈ 1 n Λ 3.3. Isomorphisms and anti-isomorphisms 3.4. The Heisenberg group acts as automorphisms of Q n,k (E, τ ) 3.5. Another set of relations for Q n,k (E, τ ) 4. Twisting Q n,k (E, τ ) 4.1. Twists 4.2. The twists of Q n,k (E, τ ) induced from translations by n-torsion points 5. Q n,k (E, τ ) when τ ∈ E[n] References