Final answer:
Opera buffa is d. comic opera, characterized by light-hearted and humorous storylines involving ordinary characters, often derived from commedia dell'arte.
Step-by-step explanation:
Opera buffa is d. comic opera. This genre of opera originated in Italy and stands in contrast to more serious forms like opera seria. Unlike those serious operas, opera buffa typically has a light-hearted, entertaining storyline with common characters, often involving comedic devices such as misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and social satire. The art form is related to the earlier tradition of commedia dell'arte which used stock characters in humorous and improvised scenarios.
Comedy, as a broader genre, deals with less serious themes compared to tragedy and aims to entertain. The characters in comedies are typically from ordinary life, and the narrative often ends on a positive note, sometimes with a wedding. Comic elements such as these that we see in plays like William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, can also be found in the opera buffa. The entertainment value of opera buffa made it very popular, and its influence can be found in various European theatrical traditions.