Final answer:
Johann Strauss and Arthur Sullivan are composers known for their operettas, a light opera genre derived from opera bouffe, and these works are precursors to modern musical theater.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johann Strauss and Arthur Sullivan composed works in a genre that grew out of the opera bouffe tradition. These works are commonly known as operettas, a form of light opera that incorporates elements of comedy and often includes spoken dialogue, alongside music and singing. Strauss is well-known for his operetta Die Fledermaus, while Sullivan, in collaboration with W.S. Gilbert, created a series of popular English operettas such as The Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore. The operetta form was highly influential and can be considered a precursor to modern musical theater, merging the traditional structure of classical music with more accessible theatrical elements.