Teresa Contarini is a tragic play set in the town of Venice. It was authored by the famed author Elizabeth Ellet and first performed at the Park Theater, New York, March, 1835. At a time of political turmoil the Senators of Venice enact strict laws to deal with spies for the French and the Spanish, with whom war is threatened. But one among them, Contarini has a plan to use the law to secure his love interest Teresa who loves another. Contarini plots to have Teresa's father Veniero arrested and charged with treason. He then offers to help him win the case, but only if Teresa agrees to marry him. And that will lead to a tragic end