The tempos indicated by the composer are too often abused by Mr. Barenboim, and in a major way (it is not a question, as would be normal, fluctuations between + or 8, but sometimes + or- 30 ( Dalila air from Act 1: A54 Black is played instead of the prescribed 84 - Air Act 2, black 60 instead of 92 !! etc ... etc ... we could multiply examples ) .The worst is reached at the second part of Act 3 (... "The sad soul unto death ...") where it is located in the chewing gum, slow is such that you almost forget the note preceding the one that is currently entendre.Malgré it is not perfect, it is better to listen to the Priest-Vickers-Gorr release.
