David Hockney has inspired a lot of things in his time – a movie called A Bigger Splash, a new way of taking and arranging photographs, as well as a vast amount of flattery and a good deal of niggling from fellow Bradfordians.

Most recently a national newspaper asked whether he was the grumpiest artist in Britain, inspired by Hockney’s frequent public criticisms of the Prime Minister and his “bossy” Government over the banning of cigarette smoking and the proposed clampdown on imagery of naked children.

And, of course, most of the civilised world knows by now how Hockney’s huge body of work inspired the late Jonathan Silver to revive Salts Mill and, ultimately, the whole of Saltaire, now a World Heritage Site.

The man whom his brothers used to call Boris has also inspired the establishment to honour him with gongs – a Companion of Honour (CH) and the Freedom of the City of Bradford.

The CH acknowledged Hockney’s contribution to the world of international opera. Focusing on light and space, he created some remarkable designs for stage sets, among them A Rake’s Progress, Turandot, The Magic Flute and The Woman Without A Shadow.

In July, Salts Mill is staging a charity concert of music inspired by David Hockney. Soprano Amanda Roocroft and cellist Christian Poltera will be led by international pianist Kathryn Stott in a programme of music by Mozart, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Ravel, Wagner, Liszt, Richard Strauss and Puccini.

Kathryn, who at the age of 19 won a prize at the 1978 Leeds International Piano Competition, said: “I have devised the programme myself, taking into account some of the works and composers where David Hockney has been the designer.

“The pieces I’ve chosen are generally inspired by Hockney’s foray into musical life rather than every piece being an excerpt from a particular work he has been involved with.

“As he has worked on large-scale projects like opera and ballet, I suppose I have tried to scale this down to use the forces we’ll have on the night – piano solo, cello or singer with piano.”

Hockney hasn’t ever designed anything for Beethoven or Liszt.

“No he hasn’t but, for example, Christian and I will perform Beethoven’s Magic Flute variations, written directly on the theme by Mozart. Liszt simply arranged the final music from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolda for piano. By using this arrangement I’m able to play it myself!” she added.

The July 11 concert won’t be Kathryn’s first time at Salts Mill.

“I have long been a visitor and have been wanting to perform there for as long as I can remember. Many years ago I went to meet Jonathan Silver to discuss how we might have concerts there – I’d always thought it would be one of the most exciting venues imaginable.

“Sadly, before we could work anything out, he died. But I’m so happy that Maggie Silver has taken up this whole idea with so much enthusiasm. The opera sets designed by Hockney will be a superb performance space for this concert; I’ve very excited to be finally playing in Salts Mill.”

Proceeds from the evening go towards Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy which, for 50 years, has been used to help people of all ages deal with a wide range of needs.

These include learning difficulties, physical disability and disorder, mental illness, dementia, stress and terminal illness.

The organisation gets no state funding and says it has to raise £3m a year to operate. Kathryn is on the fundraising board of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. In spite of a hectic concert schedule she was happy to instigate this concert.

“It’s an amazing charity which supports the work of communication through music. This is the whole reason for the evening,” she said.

In 1994 and 1996, Jonathan Silver put on two cabaret shows starring Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood respectively, which between them raised more than £60,000 for hospital charities.

Whether Hockney attends next month’s charity concert depends on his schedule. At present he is busy painting in East Yorkshire and looking at work already done. He has a big new studio in Bridlington – a converted former industrial premises.

In July he is due to fly to America where the Arts Club of Chicago is currently displaying all ten paintings entitled Looking At Woldgate Woods, part of the East Yorkshire series which Hockney has been painting for the last four or five years.

  • Music Inspired By David Hockney is on Friday, July 11, starting at 7.30pm among some of the artist’s opera designs on the third floor of Salts Mill. The Diner will remain open for pre-concert meals. Last orders at 6.30pm. Tickets costing £20 are available in the 1853 Gallery or by ringing (01274) 587377 (10.30am to 5pm).