Partial {$*$}-algebras of closable operators. I. The basic theory and the abelian case

This paper, the first of two, is devoted to a systematic study of partial *-algebras of closable operators in a Hilbert space (partial Op*-algebras). After setting up the basic definitions, we describe canonical extensions of partial Op*-algebras by closure and introduce a new bounded commutant, called quasi-weak. We initiate a theory of abelian partial *-algebras. As an application, we analyze thoroughly the partial Op*-algebras generated by a single closed symmetric operator.